NBI: Leviste seeks travel to 12 countries

MANILA, Philippines — Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste is reportedly seeking permission to travel to 12 countries while the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is looking into his possible involvement in an alleged  honey trap plot against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the bureau received information that Leviste, who flew out of the country on Aug. 2, wants to visit 12 countries. His mother Sen. Loren Legarda is also abroad on medical leave.

“We still have no information on whether he has returned. I think our latest information is that he is asking to visit around 12 countries,” Matibag told reporters on Wednesday.

Leviste left for France via Hong Kong a day before the NBI issued a subpoena requiring him to appear before the bureau in connection with the investigation into the alleged plot targeting Recto.

Matibag said immigration records showed that Leviste and his mother left on separate flights on Aug. 2.

Leviste did not appear before the NBI on Tuesday to respond to the subpoena. But his lawyer, Gabrielle Rondain-Kapunan, appeared before the NBI-National Capital Region, saying her client has invoked his right to remain silent while denying his involvement in the alleged plot.

Meanwhile, Matibag said Legarda, the senator, had sought an extension of her health leave.

The senator confirmed she filed for medical leave from Aug. 3 to 5 and appealed to the public against making “unwarranted conclusions.”

Senate officials later confirmed that Legarda extended her leave from Aug. 11 to 12.

The NBI is looking into allegations that Leviste was the financier of an operation in which a woman would fabricate a sex scandal involving Recto.

The alleged plot was confirmed to the NBI by a talent manager identified only as Ken.

Leviste and Legarda have denied the accusations against them. They also face complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman regarding the alleged failure of a renewable energy company owned by the 33-year-old Leviste to deliver solar power nationwide under a congressional franchise.