Leviste denies owning ranch

MANILA, Philippines - Former Batangas governor Antonio Leviste has denied owning the ranch in Lipa City where a big-time drug syndicate was busted during a raid on Christmas Day.

Leviste’s lawyer Cristina Buendia said Leviste’s twin brother Conrad owns the LPL ranch, where three suspects were arrested and P420 million worth of shabu (methamphetamine) was seized.

“It is his brother Conrad who developed and either sold or leased out the individual lots in this 100-hectare farm subdivision,” Buendia said in a statement sent to The STAR.

“The former governor, Jose Antonio Leviste, does not own any parcel, nor has any interest or anything whatsoever to do with the LPL Ranch Estate, contrary to the declaration of an alleged senior official,” she said.

Buendia said the matter was already verified by Benny Orense, the administrator of the LPL Ranch Estates.

She cited as proof a lease contract between a certain George Torres, now the subject of a police manhunt, and a representative of Conrad Leviste’s company, Benny Orense, a copy of which was presented during a television interview on Dec. 27.

She said her client was erroneously tagged as the owner of the property.

“We appeal to authorities and the media to ensure that the facts reported are verified in order not to make wrongful accusations that are extremely damaging to the innocent persons involved,” the statement said.

“We believe that a commendation for the police operatives and governmental agencies who took part in the successful drug bust operation is in order. Indeed, illegal drugs should have no place in our country and we must all be vigilant in ensuring the safety of our communities and society,” it added.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima earlier said the former governor would be summoned during the preliminary investigation on drug charges against the arrested suspects believed to have links to the notorious Mexican Sinoloa drug cartel.

“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,” she said during a press conference.

De Lima said the investigating prosecutor would issue a subpoena requiring Leviste to produce and submit the lease contract of the property where the shabu storage facility was found.

The DOJ chief noted that section 30 of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) 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.