Leviste ends stint with MMDA after flak

MANILA, Philippines - Former Batangas vice governor Mark Leviste has withdrawn his “voluntary work” at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) following criticisms on his questionable stint at the agency.

MMDA officer-in-charge Tim Orbos said yesterday that Leviste, who started working with them in October or November last year, ended his involvement on Jan. 26.

“He already withdrew, so he is no longer connected to us. Ang sayang lang (It is such a waste) because he wants to help,” Orbos told reporters.

As of Friday afternoon, Leviste was still seen on the MMDA premises.

Leviste volunteered to help with the MMDA’s external affairs and supposedly to work with the 17 local chief executives in Metro Manila.

Critics claimed that Leviste – who lost in the May 2016 polls to former Batangas governor and congressman Hermilando Mandanas – is banned from getting any appointment for a government post as stated under the law.

But Orbos stood firm that nobody appointed Leviste.

“There is no appointment, it is not a perfected contract, which means it did not pass through our records, it was not notarized. He’s a volunteer; he’s just helping out,” Orbos said.

He also defended Leviste, saying he did not violate election laws.

He said that they have also asked the opinion of the Office of the Ombudsman and consulted with the Civil Service Commission on Leviste’s possible violation.

The external affairs position at the MMDA was previously held by former Rizal vice governor Frisco San Juan Jr., who is currently the deputy chairman of the MMDA, and by Masbate Gov. Vince Revil.

But as far as Orbos is concerned, he wants Leviste to stay as he is a big help to the MMDA as far as working with local government officials is concerned, being a politician himself.

Orbos said he did not question Leviste’s motive for volunteering.

“If it is for their own ambition, they have their own ambition, it’s okay for as long as he is helping with the MMDA,” he said.

Asked if Leviste can still go back to the MMDA, Orbos said it would depend “if the conditions are still the same” and if he is still the chairman of the MMDA.

Meanwhile, Leviste insisted that his stint at the MMDA was not illegal.

Leviste and his father, Conrad, were under investigation by the Department of Justice after 84 kilos of shabu were seized in their ranch in Lipa on Dec. 25, 2013.

Conrad is the twin brother of former Batangas governor and convicted killer Antonio Leviste.

The Levistes said the shabu was seized from the part of their ranch that was leased to Jorge Torres, who reportedly has connections with Mexico’s Sinaloa drug syndicate.