MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is preparing qualified human trafficking complaints against Batangas 1st District’s Cong. Leandro Leviste and six others over an alleged “honey trap” operation that purportedly recruited women to fabricate accusations against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.
Leviste strongly denied involvement in the alleged scheme and accused the NBI of inventing accusations against him.
“NBI: National Bureau of Imbento, nag-iimbento ng kalokohan gamit ang buwis habang lubog ang bayan. Nakakaawa ang nangyayari sa ating bansa,” Leviste said in a Facebook post.
The NBI said the planned complaints stemmed from allegations that women were recruited as part of an operation to manufacture accusations against Recto in an apparent attempt to damage his reputation.
The bureau had earlier issued subpoenas to Leviste and former lawmaker Jacinto “Jing” Paras as part of its investigation into the alleged operation.
Leviste’s lawyer also denied his client’s supposed connection to the “honey trap” scheme.
Paras, who was likewise named in the planned complaint, rejected the allegations through his lawyer, Tolentino, who challenged authorities to present whatever evidence they have against the former lawmaker before the proper prosecutorial and judicial forums.
The controversy surfaced amid allegations that Recto and other government officials had been targeted in a broader character assassination operation.
The NBI has yet to file the planned complaints before prosecutors, where the allegations and supporting evidence would be evaluated to determine whether there is sufficient basis to pursue charges against Leviste and the other respondents./PN
