Leviste formally denies links to Mexican drug ring

MANILA, Philippines - Former Batangas Gov. Antonio Leviste has denied any links to a Mexican drug syndicate whose alleged members were arrested in a raid on his family’s ranch in Lipa City where some P420 million worth of shabu was seized last month.

Accompanied by his lawyer Cristina Buendia, Leviste appeared before the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday to attend the preliminary investigation on the charges filed against the three suspects linked to the Sinaloa drug cartel.

He submitted his affidavit denying ownership of the LPL ranch. He said he did not know the suspects, had never met them, or participated in their alleged illegal activities whether inside or outside the property.

“I am not the owner, lessor, lessee of the property. I have no knowledge or participation in the management and lease of the property,” Leviste said.

He submitted documents pertaining to the ownership of the ranch, which was being leased to the alleged head of the syndicate identified as Jorge Torres.

The documents – including articles of incorporation and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registration papers of his relatives’ company LBJ Development Corp. – showed the ranch is owned by Leviste’s relatives and is being run by his brother Conrad as treasurer.

Also submitted was a contract of lease executed between Torres and LBJ through its administrator Benedicto Orense on June 18 last year. It showed Torres rented the 10,000-square meter property for P18,150 per month, and had paid P221,100 in advance rent for one year.

The DOJ summoned Leviste’s brother Conrad and nephew, Vice Gov. Mark Leviste, to shed light on the ownership issue.

The two failed to appear before the investigating panel. Through their lawyers, they said they would submit their affidavits and documents at the next hearing on Jan. 15.

The three suspects – Chinese national Gary Tan and couple Argay and Rochelle Argenos – were presented before the panel, but were not ready to submit their counter-affidavits. They were given until the next hearing to answer the charges.