No one is above the law, said National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Atty. Melvin Matibag in response to Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste’s Facebook post sharing a congratulatory message from Matibag in 2025.

In August 2025, Matibag supposedly sent the young lawmaker a message expressing his pride and high hopes for Leviste’s eventual presidency.

“Congrats Cong. Lian! I’m so proud of you. I hope I get to live long enough to see you one day leading our country. It’s such an honor to know you. God bless you always!” read the screenshot message shared by Leviste.

In the caption, Leviste claimed the older official was a family friend and mentor figure to him when he was still new to politics.

As someone who knows him personally, Matibag would know that he is no liar, Leviste said.

In a report by RH 15 Jecelle Ricafort, Leviste’s post comes after his implication in a “character assassination” plot against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.

“Sasabihin ko na lang na, dahil kilala mo ako, alam mong hindi ako sinungaling, at totoo ang sinasabi kong ‘Gawang Recto’ lang ang kwentong ito,” Leviste wrote on social media.

Earlier on the same day, the NBI issued a subpoena against Leviste and former Congressman Jacinto “Jing” Paras after an arrested talent manager overseeing four female talents involved in the case accused the two of devising a honeytrap or sex scandal plot against Recto.

Leviste said he understands that Matibag was only ordered to conduct a probe into the matter, and forgives him.