Leviste skips NBI’s trafficking probe
The suspect allegedly claimed he had been instructed to recruit women who would falsely accuse Recto of availing their services.
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The suspect allegedly claimed he had been instructed to recruit women who would falsely accuse Recto of availing their services.
Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste failed to appear before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday despite being subpoenaed in connection with the bureau’s fact-finding investigation into alleged violations of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.
Instead, Leviste’s lawyers sent a letter requesting documents on the nature of the investigation to help prepare for questioning, according to NBI-National Capital Region director Emeterio Dongallo Jr.
Dongallo said that although Leviste’s camp did not formally seek a postponement, the NBI reset his appearance to 11 August after government offices were closed Thursday due to inclement weather.
He clarified that Leviste has not been identified as a respondent and that the investigation remains in its case build-up stage. “We are still conducting a case build-up. They are not respondents,” Dongallo said.
He explained that Leviste was invited to answer preliminary questions and present his side as part of due process.
Dongallo said the NBI would proceed with its investigation if Leviste or his representatives fail to appear on the rescheduled hearing.
Paras reset
“If they fail to appear, we will proceed with our fact-finding investigation. The subpoena gives them the opportunity to be heard in keeping with the due process clause of the Constitution,” he said.
He added that investigators wanted to hear all sides before deciding their next course of action.
Meanwhile, former Congressman Jacinto “Jing” Paras, through lawyer Mark Tolentino, also requested copies of records related to the investigation and asked that his scheduled appearance be reset.
The NBI granted Paras’ request to move his appearance to 11 August but denied his request for copies of the investigation records.
In a letter dated 5 August, Dongallo said the records could not be released because the investigation is ongoing.
He said disclosure could interfere with law enforcement proceedings, reveal investigative methods, and compromise the identities and circumstances of alleged trafficking victims protected under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.
“Documents that are the subject of an ongoing investigation cannot be shared. The investigation will be compromised, along with the personalities involved. These are confidential in nature, and the law prohibits their release,” Dongallo said.
Recto’s hand?
He added that any significant developments would be announced by NBI director Melvin Matibag.
The NBI earlier said it was investigating an alleged character assassination plot against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto that surfaced after the arrest of a talent manager on human trafficking charges.
The suspect allegedly claimed he had been instructed to recruit women who would falsely accuse Recto of availing their services and using illegal drugs as part of the supposed scheme.
The suspect identified Paras as one of those allegedly involved in the plot and claimed Leviste was expected to provide funding.
Leviste has denied the allegation.
“I will simply say that because you know me, you know I do not lie, and what I am saying is true — this story is nothing more than a ‘Recto production,’” he said in an earlier post addressed to Matibag.
Paras’ camp likewise rejected the accusation, with Tolentino saying that if the government has evidence against his client, it should present it before the proper prosecutorial and judicial forums.
