Leviste faces malversation raps

MANILA, Philippines – A former governor of Batangas has been charged with malversation of public funds before the Sandiganbayan.

Former Batangas governor Antonio Leviste failed to liquidate his cash advances when he was chairman of the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), according to a three-page complaint filed by the Office of the Ombudsman yesterday.

Philip John Moreno of the PRA’s financial planning and control division, was named respondent in the case.

Graft probers said Leviste used public funds for his foreign travels from May to December 2003 amounting to P151,385.42.

They said Moreno allowed Leviste to make cash advances despite failing to liquidate earlier cash advances amounting to P717,795.33.

Graft investigation and prosecution officer Maricel Marcial-Oquendo recommended a P40,000 bail for Leviste.

Leviste was convicted of homicide on Jan. 14, 2009 for the death of his aide Rafael de las Alas in January 2007. Leviste was released from the New Bilibid Prison in December 2013 after being granted parole.

He was Batangas governor from 1972 to 1980.