Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste has reportedly departed the Philippines on August 2, as the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) continues probing his alleged involvement in a character assassination plot targeting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.
Leviste’s departure occurred roughly a week after his approved travel authority took effect on July 26. The clearance, valid through Sept. 24, covers travel to 12 countries, including the United States, Singapore, France, and Germany. While the approved travel period overlaps with the second regular session of the 20th Congress that commenced on July 27, Leviste was seen at the House of Representatives as recently as July 29, leaving it unclear if he plans to stay abroad for the full duration.
Earlier this year, the lawmaker—son of Senator Loren Legarda—was granted approval to visit 19 countries between February and July, though he remained visible in the Philippines on several occasions during that window.
Leviste failed to appear for a scheduled NBI proceeding on Thursday. The bureau’s investigation stems from the anti-human trafficking arrest of a talent manager who named former Negros Oriental 1st District Representative Jacinto “Jing” Paras as the recruiter behind fabricated claims against Recto, while pointing to Leviste as the alleged financier.
Both Leviste and Paras deny involvement.
Concurrently, the Office of the Ombudsman has launched a separate preliminary investigation into plunder and graft allegations against Leviste and Legarda concerning roughly ₱10.44 billion in unfinished projects tied to his company, Solar Para sa Bayan.