NBI to file complaint vs. Leviste, Paras over 'honeytrap' plot to frame Recto

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday said it is set to file a complaint against Batangas First District Representative Leandro Leviste and former Negros Oriental congressman Jacinto Paras over the alleged plot to frame Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the bureau will file the complaint for qualified human trafficking at the Department of Justice (DOJ).

"We are filing violation of Anti-Human Trafficking Law so qualified human trafficking 'yung ifa-file natin doon sa seven individuals,” he said in an ambush interview.

(We are filing violation of Anti-Human Trafficking Law so we will file qualified human trafficking against the seven individuals.)

"Ang findings natin they… [supposedly] committed qualified human trafficking. Nandoon lahat ng elements," he later added.

(Our findings indicate that they supposedly committed qualified human trafficking. All the elements are present.)

The NBI will also recommend to the DOJ a preliminary investigation be conducted into the alleged involvement of four lawyers and another individual.

To recall, NBI agents rescued several individuals during an entrapment operation.

Some of the victims later claimed that Paras allegedly told them 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.

GMA News Online has reached out to the camps of Leviste and Paras regarding the NBI's expected filing of the complaint, but they have yet to respond as of posting time.

Leviste's camp previously denied involvement in the supposed ploy, while Paras' camp said the alleged talent manager approached them voluntarily to testify and asked for help in drafting the affidavit.

Paras' lawyer had said the P5.5 million handed to the talent manager was not a bribe, but for financial assistance for expenses after testifying about the alleged plot against Recto.

Leviste flew to Hong Kong on August 2, according to the NBI.

The Office of the Ombudsman said Leviste has secured a two-month travel authority.

His lawyer had said they invoke Leviste's right to remain silent, even as they deny any involvement in the controversy.

Matibag said that based on their last monitoring, Leviste was in France.

“Hindi ko lang alam ngayon kung nasaan na siya, but definitely still out of the country,” he said.

(I don’t know where he is currently, but definitely still out of the country.)

Meanwhile, the NBI director said the bureau is considering to file disbarment cases against the four lawyers as well as an ethics complaint against Leviste. — VDV, GMA News