MANILA— The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste has not been declared a fugitive from justice, stressing that due process must be observed before prosecutors determine the next steps in his case.

Officer-in-charge Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Herbert Calvin Abugan said authorities must follow established procedures before declaring an accused person a fugitive.

“As of now, not yet. There is a process that needs to be followed before we can declare him a fugitive from justice,” Abugan said.

Abugan also said the DOJ has not initiated any move to cancel Leviste’s passport in connection with an arrest warrant issued by the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 235 on Oct. 5.

The warrant stemmed from an alleged violation of the Public Service Act involving an unimplemented multibillion-peso solar energy project.

Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said decisions on the case’s direction rest with the prosecution, which may pursue measures such as passport cancellation and an Interpol Red Notice through the appropriate legal procedures.

“The prosecutors control where the journey of the case will go,” Vida said.

“There’s a process. Declaring a fugitive from justice, the cancellation of passport; these are tools to be used by the prosecutors for any accused to recognize the jurisdiction of the court.”

Abugan said Leviste would still have the opportunity to appear before the court at a scheduled hearing before prosecutors determine what further action to take.

“Also, the court would give him an opportunity to appear before it on a scheduled hearing, and until then, we will see the next steps that we can do,” he added. (PNA)