Leviste tagged in honey trap plot vs Recto

MANILA, Philippines — A talent manager arrested in an alleged plot to fabricate a sex scandal against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto has identified Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste as the supposed very important person or VIP behind the scheme.

The talent manager claimed that lawyers linked to Leviste prepared affidavits and scripts for women who were to hurl false accusations against Recto.

The talent manager, who uses the alias Ken, alleged that two lawyers introduced themselves as Leviste’s representatives and handled preparations for four actresses who were supposedly recruited for the scheme.

“They told us they first needed to review the statements,” Ken said in an interview on dzRH.

Ken claimed that former congressman Jacinto Paras acted as the coordinator and repeatedly referred to Leviste as the “VIP.”

Ken said he initially dismissed the proposal because of the stature of Recto.

He added that he trusted Paras because they were friends, but became suspicious after the promised payment was not given.

Ken said the group agreed on a payment scheme in which 30 percent of the promised compensation would be released after the sworn statements were made public, and another 40 percent after a complaint was filed before prosecutors.

According to Ken, the operation was delayed for several weeks while Paras was abroad.

Ken also claimed that he warned a member of Recto’s staff about an alleged plan to destroy the Cabinet official’s reputation, but received no response.

The alleged operation was supposed to culminate on Aug. 3, but was disrupted after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) conducted an entrapment operation at a hotel in Malate, Manila, which led to Ken’s arrest on charges of human trafficking.

The NBI on Wednesday said five other Cabinet officials were targets of the alleged honey trap plot. They are Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon and Information and Communications Secretary Henry Aguda.

Leviste skips NBI probe

Leviste was a no-show at the NBI yesterday.

NBI-National Capital Region Director Emeterio Dongallo Jr. said Leviste failed to appear despite being scheduled at 10 a.m.

The NBI gave Leviste another chance to appear on Aug. 11, citing the suspension of government work yesterday due to inclement weather.

Paras was also rescheduled to appear on the same date after the NBI granted his motion to reset.

The NBI rejected Paras’ request for copies of records related to investigation into allegations that he and Leviste were involved in a supposed character assassination plot against Recto.

The NBI earlier subpoenaed Leviste and Paras after witnesses in a human trafficking probe linked them to an alleged scheme to fabricate accusations against Recto.

Leviste and Paras have denied the allegations.