DOJ summons Leviste over Lipa drug raid

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has summoned former Batangas governor Antonio Leviste in connection with the drug raid in his family’s ranch in Lipa City on Christmas Day that led to the arrest of three suspects linked to the Mexican Sinoloa drug cartel and seizure of P420 million worth of shabu.

A subpoena was sent yesterday to Leviste’s residence in Makati City. It requires him to submit documents pertaining to the ownership of the property that police had reportedly traced to him and which was being leased to the alleged head of the syndicate identified as Jorge Torres.

Even before Leviste could receive the order, he already submitted to the DOJ the required documents.

Last Thursday, Leviste’s lawyer Cristina Buendia submitted to the office of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima documents showing that the ranch is owned by his relatives and being run by his brother Conrad as corporate treasurer.

Leviste’s camp submitted to the DOJ the articles of incorporation and Securities and Exchange Commission documents of his relatives’ firm LBJ Development Corp.

The papers named his relatives Lauro Leviste and Jose Leviste as original incorporators of LBJ.

Buendia also submitted the contract of lease executed by LBJ through its administrator Benedicto Orense and Torres on June 18 last year, which showed that the latter rented the 10,000-square-meter property for P18,150 per month and had paid P221,100 or one year’s rent in advance.

Because of these documents, the DOJ also summoned Conrad Leviste for the investigation.

Leviste also submitted to De Lima a letter clarifying the issue on ownership of the subject property.

“We wish to state for the record that the subject property is not owned by Antonio Leviste. For the information of the honorable office, the LPL ranch estate is a 100-hectare farm subdivision developed independently by Mr. Conrad Leviste, who either sold or leased out parcels of lots to various individuals,” the two-page letter read.

Buendia stressed that Leviste “does not own any parcel, nor has or ever had any interest or affiliation with the LPL ranch estate” – contrary to a newspaper report quoting a senior police official.

“We appeal to the authorities and the media to be circumspect in dispensing information that may prove to be incorrect as this incident has not only caused great emotional damage to the innocent persons involved, but has also put the family of Antonio Leviste in danger by falsely implicating them in illegal drug operations,” she added.

When sought for reaction, De Lima said Leviste has the right to defend himself.

“He can always raise that in a counter-affidavit. These are factual issues anyway that can be verified,” De Lima said.

Just last month, Leviste stepped out of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City after being granted parole following incarceration for the 2007 killing of his long-time aide Rafael delas Alas.

Earlier, the DOJ chief said that the former governor may be in danger of losing his parole grant after police tagged him as the owner of the ranch where three suspects – Chinese Gary Tan and couple Argay and Rochelle Argenos – were arrested.

“If it will be proven that he was aware of this drug facility inside their property which is apparently being rented out, then it could be a criminal offense and it could be a ground for withdrawal of the parole,” De Lima told reporters.

The DOJ chief cited section 30 of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which penalizes the owner of a property or establishment “who consents to or knowingly tolerates or authorizes the use of a facility” in illegal drug production or trade.

But she clarified this possible liability is not yet certain as it is precisely the subject of the probe.

The DOJ, through investigating Asst. State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera, is set to hear the drug possession charges against the suspects on Jan. 9.