NBI Confirms Leviste and Legarda Departed for France via Hong Kong
LEVISTE – Public attention has shifted to Leandro Leviste and Loren Legarda after authorities disclosed that the mother-and-son tandem reportedly traveled abroad before key legal proceedings.
Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste and Sen. Loren Legarda have reportedly left the country, according to National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Atty. Melvin Matibag. Matibag confirmed that both officials departed the Philippines through Hong Kong, China, before allegedly proceeding to their final destination in France.
The development follows Leviste’s failure to appear before the NBI on Thursday, August 6, in response to a subpoena issued by the agency. The subpoena is connected to the ongoing investigation into the alleged “honey trap” accusation involving Executive Secretary (ES) Ralph Recto.
Aside from Leviste, Legarda was also previously mentioned in an announcement made by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla on July 31 regarding a planned preliminary investigation. The inquiry reportedly concerns exclusive contracts linked to Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings Inc. (SPPHI), a company established by Leviste in 2013, which authorities claim caused significant damage to the Republic of the Philippines.
During a radio interview on Friday, August 7, 2026, Matibag disclosed that both Leviste and Legarda left the country on Sunday, August 2, via separate flights that passed through Hong Kong before continuing to France.
“Hindi po um-appeal kasi po nagbiyahe, e. Umalis po… Positive po ‘yan, umalis po. Actually, parehas po sila ni Sen. Legarda na umalis,” as he began.
He further explained, “Magkahiwalay. Si Leandro Leviste, umalis noong August 2 papuntang Hong Kong. Si senator naman po, umalis noong August 2 rin. Magkaiba po na flight via Hong Kong, pero ang final destination is France.”
Matibag also emphasized that the subpoena addressed to Leviste had already been signed and made public on July 31. According to him, Leviste was still able to consult and secure legal representation before leaving the country.
“It [has] already been made public. Noong Friday, signed na po ‘yong subpoena na ipapadala. Pero he was able to engage a lawyer… Kung umalis na po siya ng August 3 at na-receive ‘yong subpoena, nakapakuha pa siya ng abogado,” he said.
The NBI director reiterated that it would be better for Leviste and the other individuals linked to the alleged character assassination plot against Recto to personally face investigators and respond to the evidence gathered by the agency.
“Mas maganda po, humarap sila sa amin. Sabi naman nila, sa tamang forum, sa tamang panahon. Humarap po sila dito sa NBI and we will confront them with the evidence that we have,” he concluded.
As of this writing, neither Leviste nor Legarda has released any official statement, response, or reaction regarding the matter.
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