The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was set to file qualified human trafficking complaints against Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste, former Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto “Jing” Paras and five others over an alleged scheme targeting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag said Friday that investigators had completed their probe and would bring the complaints before the Department of Justice within the day.
The case stemmed from allegations made by a talent manager identified as Alias Ken, who claimed that a group had planned to use four female artists in an effort to damage Recto’s reputation.
According to Ken, the women were supposed to make fabricated accusations that Recto had forced them to take illegal drugs and engage in sexual activity with him.
Ken alleged that the plan was discussed during a restaurant meeting in July attended by Paras and lawyers linked to the Rondain and Mendiola Law Firm.
The NBI said the respondents included lawyers Ruy Rondain and Orlando Mendiola, along with two junior associates of the firm. Ken alleged that the lawyers were supposed to prepare statements for the women and had presented themselves as representatives of Leviste.
The talent manager also accused Leviste of financing the alleged operation. The NBI investigation followed Ken’s arrest in a separate human trafficking case on July 28.
Leviste, Paras and the other individuals implicated in the allegations have denied involvement. The complaints will undergo proceedings before prosecutors, who will determine whether sufficient grounds exist to bring the case to court.