Rep. Leandro Leviste was expected to appear before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday morning after being linked to an alleged plot to set up Executive Secretary Ralph Recto in a sex scandal, authorities said.

Leviste had been summoned by the NBI National Capital Region office for a 10 a.m. appearance, but as of past 11 a.m., he had yet to be seen at the bureau’s headquarters.

The subpoena followed claims tying Leviste to a foiled attempt to entrap Recto through a so-called “honey trap” operation. The allegation surfaced after an arrested talent manager, identified by authorities only as “Ken,” was implicated in the supposed scheme.

Former congressman Jing Paras, who was also named in the issue, will instead appear before the NBI on Aug. 11, according to his lawyer, Mark Tolentino.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag challenged both Leviste and Paras to face the investigation and respond to the accusations against them.

“Pumunta kayo rito sana, tumulong kayo, ipaliwanag natin sa isa’t-isa and we will ask the question nagusap ba talaga kayo nitong tao na ‘to o hindi?,” Matibag said in an interview with DZRH News.

Matibag said the bureau is still conducting a fact-finding inquiry and building its case, noting that Leviste and Paras are currently considered “persons of interest” who may help shed light on the matter.

Among the key questions investigators aim to answer is whether the two had any communication with the arrested talent manager.

Matibag said Paras was the one who mentioned Leviste’s name in connection with the alleged plot.

“Malinaw ang sinabi natin tungkol kay Congressman Leviste, ang bumanggit sa kanya ay si dating Congressman Jing paras.”

Both Leviste and Paras have denied involvement in the scheme. Leviste has rejected claims that he funded the supposed operation, while Paras denied allegations that he contacted the talent manager to recruit four female talents for the plan.