Court allows Leviste to travel abroad

A Makati City regional trial court (RTC) has allowed former Batangas governor Antonio Leviste to leave the country for a week and join a Muslim pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda, in an open court order issued yesterday, granted Leviste permission to leave the country on Dec. 16.

Leviste, who is facing murder charges for killing his executive assistant Rafael delas Alas last Jan. 12, was ordered to pay P100,000 as travel bond.

The prosecution, headed by Senior State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco, did not oppose Leviste’s request to leave the country.

Alameda has scheduled the next hearing of the case on Jan. 14. The trial is already in its final stages, with the defense presenting witnesses.

Leviste claims he shot Delas Alas in self-defense because the victim allegedly tried to kill him.   – Michael Punongbayan