MANILA, Philippines — Rep. Leandro Leviste has yet to be considered a fugitive from justice despite an arrest warrant issued against him, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Thursday, stressing that he still has an opportunity to appear before the court and submit himself to its jurisdiction.
The DOJ said the criminal case against Leviste was filed before the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 235 on Sept. 29, 2026 with the court subsequently issuing a warrant of arrest. Two of his co-accused have already posted bail.
DOJ OIC Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Herbert Calvin Abugan said there was still a process to be followed before Leviste can be declared a fugitive from justice, as the court must first give him an opportunity to appear at the scheduled proceedings.
"As of now not yet. there's a process that needs to be followed before we can declare him a fugitive from justice. The Court will give give him an opportunity to appear before it at the scheduled hearing," added Abugan.
The court has set the arraignment of the accused for Oct. 26, 2026.
Justice officials said the prosecution may consider other legal measures, including the cancelation of travel documents, as the case progresses if necessary to secure Leviste’s appearance before the court.
The DOJ has also urged Levite to voluntarily submit himself to the court’s jurisdiction, emphasizing that the arrest warrant is a valid court order that must be respected.
Justice officials stressed that the case should not be dismissed as insignificant simply because of the amount involved.
The issue, they said, goes beyond the amount allegedly involved and centers on respect for the law and the judicial process.
“Not following or violating the law is a big matter,” the DOJ said, stressing that court processes, including the enforcement of an arrest warrant, must be respected.
The Makati RTC Branch 235 issued the arrest warrant following the DOJ's filing of charges on Sept. 29 against Rep. Leandro Leviste and two Solar Para sa Bayan Corp. officials for alleged violations of the Public Service Act.
The case traces back to a May complaint by the Department of Energy accusing Leviste and other officials of Solar Para sa Bayan Corp. of failing to fulfill the obligations of the company’s 25-year congressional franchise, including providing electricity to remote, unserved and underserved areas. Prosecutors later found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction, prompting the DOJ to file the criminal case before the Makati RTC.
