Alleged plot to frame Ralph Recto 'unacceptable', says Palace

Malacañang on Monday flagged the alleged plot to frame Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, saying it is “unacceptable.”

“Kung ito ay mapapatunayan na totoo dahil may mga witnesses, may mga taong involved na pinangalanan ang taong nag-utos sa kanila na sirain ang pagkatao ni Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, ito ay hindi katanggap-tanggap, hindi makatao, makasarili, power hungry,” said Palace Press Officer Claire Castro in a press briefing.

“Paggawa ng intriga, pagplanta ng ebidensya, diyan ba sila sanay? Diyan ba sila eksperto?” she added.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) earlier said it will summon Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste and former lawmaker Jing Paras over an alleged plan to frame Recto.

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 take place after this year’s State of the Nation Address.

The human trafficking victim was able to recount in detail what they were instructed to do, said NBI director Melvin Matibag.

The Palace said that it is not the first time that someone plotted against an official under the Marcos administration.

“Hindi ito ang unang beses. Madami na tayong nakita, madami na tayong naobserbahan na ‘yung iba nilang nilalatag na di umanong testigo ay gawa-gawa lamang. Sino ngayon ang nagpapagulo sa bansang ito?” said Castro.

The Palace official said the NBI is looking at the extent of the plot’s intended targets.

“Sa ngayon po ang NBI ay inaalam pa po ang pinakalalim nito. Dahil pwedeng hindi lamang si ES Ralph Recto ang nais nilang biktimahin. So dapat natin itong malaman,” said Castro.

"We will answer all of these false and untrue allegations at a proper time. Will let you know and tell all," Paras said earlier on the allegations against him.

Leviste, meanwhile, earlier said "Ilang buwan ko nang hindi binabanggit ang pangalan ni VATMan, kasi pinayuhan ako na hindi siya kailangang siraan dahil sira na siya. Pero huwag niya sanang mamasamain na may mga nagpapadala sa akin ng impormasyon tungkol sa kanya sa leandroleviste@proton.me."

(I have not been mentioning the name of VATMan for months because I have been advised to stop criticizing him, as he's already tainted. I hope he would not take it against me if there are people who send me information about him at leandroleviste@proton.me.)

GMA News Online has reached out to Leviste and Paras for their respective comments and will update this story as soon as they respond.—RF, GMA News