| Tony Leviste | |
|---|---|
| Governor of Batangas | |
| In office 1972–1980 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jose Antonio C. Leviste 1940 (age 71–72) Malabon, Metro Manila, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Political party | Lakas Kampi CMD (since 2009) |
| Other political affiliations |
Lakas-CMD (1980-2009) Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (1972-80) |
| Spouse(s) | Loren Legarda (1989-2003) Celia Sarangaya, first wife |
| Residence | Manila |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Businessman |
| Religion | Islam |
Jose Antonio 'Tony' C. Leviste (born 1940) served as a governor of the province of Batangas, in the Philippines from 1972 to 1980. He belongs to a distinguished Batangas family renowned in both business and politics. He was married to Senator Loren Legarda but they eventually separated before the 2004 election campaign. The bemedalled Asian Games equestrienne Toni Leviste is his daughter from a previous marriage. He was sentenced to 6 years in prison for shooting dead his long-time aide Rafael delas Alas. Leviste is now serving his sentence at the National Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
He graduated at the Lyceum Of The Philippines in 1959 and the president of the Batangas Varsitarian,a reputable organization of Batangueno students. During his term as Governor of Batangas, he was elected member of the Batasang Bayan chairman of the Regional Development Council, Vice President of the League of Governors and City Mayors, and chairman of the Program for Forest Ecosystem Management.
He was an advocate of the environment. He initiated a forest ecosystem management program which today continues to be a model in reforestation that made him earn the coveted "Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines" (TOYM) award for Public Administration.
He was chosen the "Realtor of the Year" by the Business Writers Association of the Philippines and served as the director in various government agencies, including the People's Homesite and Housing Corporation (now the NHA), Philippine Ports Authority, Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation, Semirara Mining Corporation and the Philippine Tourism Authority. He was co-founder of the Pasay Board of Realtors and the Philippine Association of Real Estate Boards. He also served as Chairman of the Philippine Leisure and Retirement Authority. He holds the rank of Lt. Commander in the Philippine Navy Reserve Force and is the Honorary Consul General of the State of Palestine.
Currently, he is the charter president of the Resort Association of the Philippines and co-founder of the Tourism Council of the Philippines. He is the Chief Executive Officer of the Leviste Group of Companies, a real estate firm engaged in housing, subdivision, condominium and resort development.
On January 14, 2009, Leviste was convicted of homicide in the killing of his longtime friend and aide Rafael de las Alas. Levisted had admitted responsibility for de las Alas' death, claiming he only shot the victim in self-defense. The Makati City Regional Trial Court sentenced him to 6 to 12 years in prison.[1] Leviste is now serving his sentence at the National Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.
In February 2011, an entrusted source to ABS-CBN's XXX team showed how Leviste is enjoying his imprisonment sentence like that of a free man. The award-winning Current Affairs show began investigating in February and monitored the areas provided by the tipster.
True enough, Leviste was seen in public places and was even videotaped by the program four times outside the Bilibid. These jail-breaking incidents are now under investigation.