MANILA: Former Batangas governor Antonio Leviste has denied owning the ranch in Lipa City where a big-time drug syndicate was busted during a raid on Christmas Day.
Leviste’s lawyer Cristina Buendia said Leviste’s twin brother Conrad owns the LPL ranch, where three suspects were arrested and P420m worth of shabu (methamphetamine) was seized.
“It is his brother Conrad who developed and either sold or leased out the individual lots in this 100-hectare farm subdivision,” Buendia said in a statement.
“The former governor, Jose Antonio Leviste, does not own any parcel, nor has any interest or anything whatsoever to do with the LPL Ranch Estate, contrary to the declaration of an alleged senior official,” she said.
Buendia said the matter was already verified by Benny Orense, the administrator of the LPL Ranch Estates.
She cited as proof a lease contract between a certain George Torres, now the subject of a police manhunt, and a representative of Conrad Leviste’s company, Benny Orense, a copy of which was presented during a television interview on Dec 27.
She said her client was erroneously tagged as the owner of the property.
“We appeal to authorities and the media to ensure that the facts reported are verified in order not to make wrongful accusations that are extremely damaging to the innocent persons involved,” the statement said.
“We believe that a commendation for the police operatives and governmental agencies who took part in the successful drug bust operation is in order. Indeed, illegal drugs should have no place in our country and we must all be vigilant in ensuring the safety of our communities and society,” it added.
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