Hontiveros: Filing of charges by Paras confirms ‘conspiracy’ hatched by Aguirre

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday said the filing of multiple criminal charges against her by former Negros Oriental Representative Jacinto Paras confirms the “conspiracy” hatched by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II with the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC).

“Hindi ito dapat bigyan ng katiting na halaga at pansin ng publiko,” Hontiveros said in a statement in response to the charges filed by Paras before the Office of the Ombudsman.

“This confirms the conspiracy hatched by Secretary Aguirre and his VACC to expedite the filing of cases against me. It also confirms that the ‘Cong. Jing’ whom Secretary Aguirre was texting was former Representative Jacinto Paras,” she said.

“Bistong-bisto na, buking na buking na, nagpapalusot pa. Nais pa magtago sa likod ng mga walang batayang kaso,” Hontiveros added.

Paras filed multiple criminal charges against Hontiveros on Monday for disclosing his supposed text messages with Aguirre and for allegedly exploiting minor witnesses in the death of Kian Loyd delos Santos.

Paras charged Hontiveros with kidnapping, obstruction of justice, and violation of the Anti-Wiretapping Law.

In a privilege speech last September 11, Hontiveros called for Aguirre’s resignation for supposedly plotting to file a case against her.

Hontiveros presented as evidence a digital photo of Aguirre sending text messages during the Senate hearing on the killing of Delos Santos.

The senator said that when the picture was enlarged, it revealed that Aguirre was texting a certain “Cong. Jing” who said that, “Naturuan na ni Hontiveros ang testigo. Her questions are leading questions.”

Aguirre responded by saying that, “'Yon nga sinasabi ko dito. Very obvious. Kaya nga expedite natin ang cases niyo vs her.” —KG, GMA News