By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste and his mother, Sen. Loren Legarda, both left the Philippines on Aug. 2, according to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI), days before the congressman failed to appear before investigators over an alleged “honey trap” plot targeting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag confirmed Friday that Leviste did not comply with an Aug. 6 subpoena because he had already traveled abroad, describing the development as a “positive” confirmation of the congressman’s departure.
Matibag disclosed that immigration records showed Leviste departed for Hong Kong on Aug. 2, while Legarda also left the country the same day on a separate flight, with France listed as her final destination after transiting through Hong Kong.
The NBI had summoned Leviste in connection with its investigation into allegations that he and former congressman Jacinto “Jing” Paras were linked to an alleged “honey trap” operation purportedly aimed at Executive Secretary Ralph Recto. Leviste’s nonappearance prompted authorities to verify his travel records.
The Bureau of Immigration corroborated the NBI’s findings.
BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said both Leviste and Legarda departed on separate flights on Aug. 2 and stressed that neither had any derogatory records or travel restrictions at the time they exited the country.
She added that one flight departed in the early morning while the other left later in the evening.
As of Friday afternoon, neither Leviste nor Legarda had publicly commented on Matibag’s statements or the circumstances surrounding their overseas travel.
The NBI has yet to announce whether it will issue another subpoena or take further legal action should Leviste remain unavailable for questioning.
ia/xf
