The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is considering filing an ethics complaint against Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste over his alleged involvement in a failed character assassination campaign against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said Friday.

Matibag said the complaint could be brought before the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges as early as next week.

“Next week we will be considering disbarment charges also to the lawyers involved and a case also on the ethics committee of the House of Representatives against Congressman Leandro Leviste,” Matibag said.

The NBI director said he did not know Leviste’s exact whereabouts but confirmed that the lawmaker remained outside the country.

The bureau is also studying the filing of disbarment complaints against four lawyers from the Rondain & Mendiola Law Firm, Matibag said.

He said the NBI has gathered what he described as clear evidence against Leviste, former Rep. Jing Paras and five other individuals allegedly involved in the campaign against Recto.

“Malinaw yung mga ebidensya,” Matibag said, citing testimonial evidence, closed-circuit television footage and statements made by the individuals during NBI interviews.

Matibag also said one of those involved admitted that Mendiola had given money to women hired to make false statements against Recto.

The NBI had earlier announced that it would file qualified human trafficking charges against the seven individuals allegedly linked to the scheme.

Matibag said the bureau’s planned complaints against the lawyers and Leviste would be pursued in addition to the criminal case.