Subpoenas to be issued to Leandro Leviste, Jing Paras — NBI

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Melvin Matibag said the bureau will issue subpoenas for Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste and former lawmaker Jing Paras on Monday, August 3 amid allegations that they have an alleged ploy to frame Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.

“It was already signed last Friday but close of office hours, so it will be sent today,” Matibag said in an ambush interview.

He said the two will be invited to appear before the bureau on Thursday.

Matibag previously bared that Paras allegedly told the human trafficking victims that they would be paid to create a story and sign an affidavit, and they would receive their payment in tranches as the case went on. The plot was supposed to be after the State of the Nation Address.

“If they will not attend, then we have to deal with it na accordingly kung anong ebidensya ang dadating sa amin,” Matibag said.

(If they will not attend, then we will have to deal with it accordingly, based on whatever evidence is presented to us.)

He also said that the bureau is willing to help Paras and Leviste prosecute the individuals who made claims about them if these are false.

“Anyway, there’s already the admission and confession nung mga subjects. That’s why they’re being subpoenaed to clear the light no, kung ano bang participation nila talaga,” the bureau director said.

(Anyway, there’s already the admission and confession of the subjects. That’s why they’re being subpoenaed to shed light on what their actual participation was.)

“Kung wala naman at nag iimbento lang itong mga tao na ito, we are willing to help them prosecute these personalities,” he said.

(If there really is nothing to it and these people are simply making things up, we are willing to help prosecute these individuals.)

Meanwhile, Matibag said Recto is already coordinating with the bureau and will send his lawyers.

Paras and Leviste have denied the allegations against them. — RSJ, GMA News