Leandro Leviste issued arrest warrant by Makati court
A Makati Regional Trial Court has issued a warrant of arrest against Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste over his alleged violation of the Public Service Act.
The warrant was issued by Makati RTC Branch 235 on Oct. 5, according to a copy of the warrant sent by the National Bureau of Investigation to media.
Part of the warrant read, "You are hereby commanded to arrest Leandro Antonio L. Leviste... who has/have been charged before me with the offense of Public Service Act (Section 25 of Commonwealth Act No. 146, as amended by RA No. 11659) and bring him/her/them forthwith before me to be dealt with according to law."
Bail was set at a fixed P72,000.
The warrant is connected to the plunder investigation being carried out by the Office of the Ombudsman against Leviste and his mother, Sen. Loren Legarda, regarding alleged irregularities within solar energy projects and service contracts connected to Leviste's companies.
On Aug. 2, days after the Ombudsman announced the investigation, Leviste and Legarda left the Philippines for France.
According to Legarda's spokesperson, lawyer Tony La Viña, the senator is on medical leave because of a lung illness. She has supposedly been receiving treatment in France, and Leviste has been acting as her caregiver.
Legarda filed a medical leave extension for the sixth consecutive time on Sept. 21 until Oct. 9.
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