National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Atty. Melvin Matibag said on Monday that Executive Secretary Ralph Recto is being subjected to character assassination, according to a report by RH 15 Jecelle Ricafort.
In an interview, Matibag said the bureau will be sending a subpoena on Monday for Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste and former lawmaker Jing Paras over their involvement in the issue.
If either refuses to appear before the bureau, the NBI will take action in accordance with the evidence they gather.
“If they will not attend, then we have to deal with it accordingly, kung ano ‘yung ebidensyang darating sa’min. Anyway, there is already the admission and confession nung mga subjects, e. That’s why they’re being subpoenaed to clear the light, kung ano bang participation nila talaga,” Matibag said.
However, the bureau director also said that the NBI is prepared to aid Leviste and Paras in holding the arrested talent manager and the four contracted female talents accountable, should their allegations be proven false.
“Kung wala naman at nag-iimbento lang itong mga tao na ito, we are willing to help them to prosecute these personalities,” he said.
Matibag clarified that the bureau was not making a verdict of guilt against Leviste or Paras, assuring that both will undergo due process.
“Si former Congressman Jing Paras and si Congressman Leandro Leviste were mentioned by the persons na nahuli natin. So as of now, as we speak, they’re considered na wala pa talaga, na sasabihing may kasalanan,” the Investigations chief said.
“Ang punto natin dito, kung ano ang ebidensya, so they are entitled to due process. So kailangan magpaliwanag sila. ‘Yun naman ‘yung proseso dapat ng batas: may binanggit, but we have to inform them na binanggit sila,” he explained.
Recto has reached out to the bureau, Matibag said, and will be sending over his lawyers.
According to the talent manager’s account, Paras approached them to encourage the four female talents to accuse Recto of forcing them to take illegal drugs and have intercourse with him in exchange for ₱1 million each.
Leviste and Paras have earlier repudiated the accusation.
Meanwhile, the NBI is looking into whether other public officials have been targeted by the individuals responsible for the “honeytrap” or sex scandal plot against Recto.
