NBI to file trafficking raps vs Leviste, 6 others

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is set to file qualified human trafficking charges against Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste, former lawmaker Jacinto Paras and five others over an alleged honey trap plot targeting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said yesterday that the complaint would be filed with the Department of Justice after the bureau’s investigation found elements of qualified human trafficking.

“We are filing a violation of the Anti-Human Trafficking Law, so qualified human trafficking is what we will file against the seven individuals,” Matibag told reporters in a chance interview.

“Our findings indicate that they supposedly committed qualified human trafficking. All the elements are present,” he added.

The investigation stemmed from an entrapment operation at a hotel in Malate, Manila on July 28, where NBI agents rescued five people allegedly recruited as part of a plan to fabricate a story and affidavit linking Recto to a scandal in exchange for payment.

The NBI earlier subpoenaed Leviste, Paras and four lawyers in connection with the case.

Leviste’s camp has denied involvement in the alleged scheme.

Paras’ lawyers, Mark Tolentino and Ferdinand Topacio, also denied the accusations, saying their client did not recruit or hire the women allegedly involved. They said the women had voluntarily approached Paras to offer statements about an incident in 2025.

Tolentino and Topacio appeared before the NBI-National Capital Region in Pasay and submitted a notarized affidavit denying allegations against Paras.

Leviste had earlier left the country for France with his mother, Sen. Loren Legarda, before the NBI served him the subpoena, according to Matibag.

The NBI is confident with the qualified human trafficking complaint that it filed against Leviste, Paras and others.

Leviste, however, said the NBI, which he called the National Bureau of Imbento, is only “making up allegations.” 

“Nag-iimbento ng kalokohan gamit ang buwis habang lubog ang bayan. Nakakaawa ang nangyayari sa ating bansa,” he said in a Facebook post, accusing the NBI of inventing foolishness while the country is in bad shape.

Speaking to “Storycon” on One News, Matibag said they have enough evidence to secure a conviction against the respondents.

“We have complete evidence here. We have testimonial and documentary evidence, CCTV footage and even the accused’s own pronouncements,” he said. “Qualified human trafficking is a non-bailable offense.”

The DOJ will still have to conduct a preliminary investigation into the complaint. During this phase, the respondents will be given the opportunity to address the allegations. A warrant will only be issued once the case is filed in court.

Matibag said they also intend to file a disbarment case next week. He did not provide details, but said this is in relation to the qualified human trafficking complaint.

Several lawyers were previously tagged as involved in the alleged scheme.

Meanwhile, the NBI director also confirmed that another high-profile case would be filed before the DOJ next week.

He did not provide details, but said it involves a national government official. — Janvic Mateo, Daphne Galvez