The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has in its hands testimony and sworn affidavit gathered by agents in their official investigation.

This was revealed by NBI Director Melvin Matibag saying they gathered the initial evidence from the operation report taken from the so-called talent manager and the girls rescued in the human trafficking operation recently.

“Our evidence is the testiomony, sworn affidavit (operation report, from the official investigation from the talent manager, and the girls who gave their statement and the text exchange of Cong. Jing Paras doon po sa tao, doon po sa talent manager,” Matibag said.

The NBI chief though did not elaborate on the contents of the affidavits or the text messages, saying the evidence forms part of the bureau’s ongoing investigation.

Matibag said this was gathered by the bureau against former Negros congressman Jacinto “Jing” Paras and Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste in its investigation into an alleged plot to frame Executive Secretary Ralph Recto. 

The allegations against the two stem from statements and evidence collected by NBI investigators, although he stressed that the investigation remains ongoing.

Asked whether the post-operation investigation had yielded additional evidence directly linking the two lawmakers to the alleged scheme, Matibag said the bureau has already gathered several pieces of evidence.

The NBI chief said the bureau’s current evidence includes sworn statements executed during the official investigation, as well as documentary evidence.

Paras and Leviste have been subpoenaed by the NBI after their names surfaced during the investigation into the alleged scheme. 

They denied any wrongdoing and have expressed their willingness to cooperate with the investigation.