Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste and his mother, Sen. Loren Legarda, left the Philippines on Aug. 2, a day before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) issued a subpoena against the congressman, according to NBI Director Melvin Matibag.
In an interview, Matibag said Leviste and Legarda departed on separate flights bound for Hong Kong but were both traveling to France.
The NBI chief said the two had already left the country before the bureau issued a subpoena to Leviste on Aug. 3.
The subpoena was issued in connection with the NBI’s investigation into an alleged “honey trap” plot involving Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.
On Thursday, Leviste did not appear before the NBI as directed.
Instead, his legal counsel appeared before the agency on his behalf.
The NBI has ordered Leviste to appear again on Aug. 11 as part of its continuing investigation.
Authorities have not announced any changes to the investigation following the congressman’s departure from the country.
The bureau also did not indicate whether Leviste’s travel would affect the proceedings or whether additional legal steps would be taken.
The NBI has continued its inquiry into the alleged “honey trap” case while awaiting Leviste’s scheduled appearance next week.
As of the latest update, the bureau has not released additional details regarding the allegations under investigation.
The case remains under investigation, and no findings have been announced by authorities.
