Philippine DoJ Urges Rep. Leviste to Surrender in Solar Franchise Case
Key Takeaways
- •The Philippine Department of Justice said Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste is not yet a fugitive but urged him to submit to the court's jurisdiction after two co-accused in the case posted bail.
- •The case, filed on Sept. 29 before Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 235, accuses his solar corporation of willfully failing to comply with obligations under its legislative franchise in violation of the Public Service Act.
- •The court has issued an arrest warrant, bail was set at P72,000, and Leviste's arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 26.
- •Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said prosecutors could cancel Leviste's passport and travel documents, with the National Bureau of Investigation studying a cancellation request and an Interpol red notice remaining a far-off option.
- •DoJ Officer-in-Charge Herbert Calvin Abugan said a process must be followed before Leviste can be declared a fugitive, and the court will give him a chance to appear at the scheduled hearing.
The Philippine Department of Justice (DoJ) said on Thursday that Batangas Rep. Leandro L. Leviste is not yet considered a fugitive from justice, as it urged the lawmaker to surrender to the court after two of his co-accused in a solar franchise case posted bail.
The case, filed on Sept. 29 before Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 235, alleges violations of the Public Service Act. Justice Secretary Fredderick A. Vida said the matter remains serious despite the court setting bail at P72,000.
Legislative franchises in the Philippines are granted by Congress through a law, and holders are bound to comply with the obligations attached to the grant. The Public Service Act, the statute cited in the filing, covers the operation of public services, so alleged breaches of a franchise's terms are pursued before the courts. The matter carries added weight because it involves a sitting member of the House of Representatives, one half of the Congress that authorizes such franchises.
“P72,000 may be a small matter for him, but what is important here is obeying the law,” Mr. Vida told reporters.
“My appeal yesterday was for Congressman Leviste to submit himself to the jurisdiction of the court because at the end of the day, we cannot ignore the rule of law. There should be no higher law,” he added.
Prosecutors alleged that Mr. Leviste's solar corporation willfully and intentionally failed to comply with obligations under its legislative franchise. The court has issued an arrest warrant, and the arraignment is set for Oct. 26.
DoJ Officer-in-Charge Herbert Calvin D. Abugan said a process must be followed before Mr. Leviste can be declared a fugitive, and that the court will give him a chance to appear at the scheduled hearing.
Mr. Vida said prosecutors could cancel Mr. Leviste's passport and travel documents as the case progresses. National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin A. Matibag earlier said the bureau was studying a request to cancel the passport. An Interpol red notice is also an option, but remains “far” down the line, Mr. Vida said.
Originally reported by Erika Mae P. Sinaking for BusinessWorld.
Source: DoJ asks Leviste to surrender
