DOJ corrects Leviste: Alleged violation of the law not a small matter

MANILA — Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida stressed on Thursday that the case against Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste is far from the “small matter” that the first-term congressman says it is.

This was in response to Leviste’s Facebook post telling supporters not to worry about the warrant issued by a Makati court for his arrest and adding it is not a big deal.

“Malaki pong bagay… Ang hindi pagsunod o pagtupdan sa batas ay malaking bagay,” Vida said in a press conference.

(This is a big deal. Not following or not implementing a law is a big deal.)

He said that Leviste and his mother Sen. Loren Legarda are lawmakers and that citizens are bound by the laws that their chambers pass.

“Ang paggalang natin sa proseso ng korte at sa proseso nito tulad ng arrest warrant ay malaking bagay,” Vida added. 

(Respecting court processes like this arrest warrant is a big deal.)

The court recommended bail of P72,000 for Leviste in his case for the alleged violation of the Public Services Act.

ABS-CBN News reached out to Leviste for comment, but has yet to receive a response.

Leviste is not yet considered a fugitive from justice,  according to Department of Justice OIC Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Herbert Calvin Abugan.

“There’s a process that needs to be followed before we can declare him a fugitive from justice. Also the court will give him an opportunity to appear…and until then, we will see the next steps that we can take,” Abugan said.

Asked about seeking an International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) red notice for Leviste, Vida said that is not an immediate step for government but remains an option.

Leviste spokesperson Tony La Viña said otherwise, saying in a Facebook post,  that an Interpol red notice “does not apply.” 

La Viña said this only covers serious crimes such as murder and crimes against humanity. “Hinay-hinay lang (Not so fast),” he also said.

Red notices are issued for fugitives wanted in relation to “serious ordinary law crimes,” according to the Interpol website.

Vida said cancelling Leviste’s travel authority for his trip abroad in up to the House of Representatives.

He said the DOJ might cancel Leviste’s travel documents “if that is necessary and needed as we progress [in this case.]”