NBI files human trafficking raps vs. Leviste, Paras

NBI Director Melvin Matibag (Courtesy: Atty. Melvin Matibag)

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed qualified human trafficking charges Friday against Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste, former lawmaker Jacinto ‘Jing’ Paras, and five others over their roles in the alleged ‘honey trap’ scheme.

The NBI lodged the complaint before the National Prosecution Service (NPS) at the Department of Justice (DOJ) after gathering evidence—such as CCTV footage, public pronouncements, interviews—and evaluating witness accounts.

Qualified trafficking is a nonbailable offense. Aside from Leviste and Paras, a talent manager and four lawyers from Rondain and Mendiola law firm were named among the respondents.

“We are filing qualified human trafficking (complaint against) seven individuals,” said NBI Director Melvin Matibag. “There’s already an admission that money was given to the women they were supposed to use (for this activity).”

The case stemmed from allegations that women were recruited to fabricate stories aimed at destroying the character of Executive Secretary Ralph Recto. Both Leviste and Paras earlier denied the accusation.

Matibag said they are also considering filing disbarment cases against the involved lawyers and an ethics complaint against Leviste before the House of Representatives. Leviste is currently out of the country.

The respondents will be given time to properly respond to the allegations.

The alleged “honey trap” scheme targeting Recto may be part of a broader effort to discredit and destabilize the administration, Matibag said in an earlier interview.

He said any effort that creates a “black eye or stigma” on the executive secretary could also affect the administration.

“The presence of the players on the other side could indicate there was a bigger plot,” Matibag said.

— Gwyneth Nolasco