By el Amigo
MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is set to issue subpoenas to Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste and former Negros Oriental Rep. Jing Paras as part of its investigation into an alleged scheme to implicate Executive Secretary Ralph Recto in fabricated criminal accusations.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the subpoenas are expected to be served next week, with both individuals likely to appear before investigators by Wednesday or Thursday.
According to Matibag, the bureau wants Leviste and Paras to explain their alleged involvement before investigators rather than limiting their responses to statements on social media.
Both Leviste and Paras denied the accusations.
Leviste said he had no participation in any alleged attempt to target Recto, insisting he had never communicated with the individuals involved. He also questioned why reports linked to the allegations were later removed online.
Paras, meanwhile, dismissed the claims as mere hearsay. He said he would cooperate with legal procedures and respond to the allegations in the proper forum based on his lawyer’s advice.
The investigation stemmed from an NBI entrapment operation conducted at a five-star hotel in Malate, Manila, where authorities arrested talent manager Lito de Guzman and placed five women under protective custody.
Matibag said De Guzman alleged that Paras instructed him to recruit four women who would execute false affidavits accusing Recto of forcing them into sexual acts and illegal drug use. The women were allegedly promised a total of P5 million for participating in the plan.
The talent manager also claimed that Leviste financed the operation.
Investigators said they recovered and examined messages allegedly exchanged between De Guzman and Paras. Although some conversations had reportedly been deleted, the NBI said it was able to authenticate the phone number linked to the former congressman.
The bureau is also looking into the possible involvement of lawyers who allegedly attended meetings and were tasked with preparing the supposed complaints against Recto.
Matibag said the NBI intends to identify and subpoena those lawyers as the investigation progresses.
Authorities said the participants were allegedly promised 30 percent of the payment after signing affidavits, another 40 percent upon filing the case, and the remaining balance while the complaint remained pending.
The NBI is treating the case not only as a possible human trafficking operation but also as a suspected politically motivated effort aimed at damaging reputations.
Matibag said investigators are examining whether the alleged operation was intended to target other public officials beyond Recto, adding that the bureau would pursue all leads uncovered during the investigation.
The dispute between Recto and Leviste dates back to May, when the Batangas lawmaker publicly accused the Executive Secretary of corruption and vote-buying during a privilege speech in the House of Representatives.
elamig
