The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) denied Wednesday that it leaked CCTV footage that recently surfaced in the media regarding an alleged plot to frame Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.

NBI director Melvin Matibag rejected claims by the defense team of former Negros Oriental Representative Jacinto Paras, who questioned how the footage reached the media when it was withheld from the defense.

“First of all, categorically, we deny releasing any video,” Matibag said. “That did not come from us.”

Matibag said the bureau would coordinate with whichever party released the video to secure a copy and determine whether it matches the CCTV footage in the NBI’s possession.

Addressing complaints from Paras’ lawyer, Mark Tolentino, Matibag explained that the NBI was bound by Department of Justice (DoJ) Memorandum Circular No. 48, which restricts the release of investigative evidence to outside parties during an active probe.The NBI denied leaking CCTV footage linked to an alleged plot to frame Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, saying the video must first be verified and authenticated.

“So what was said that it was not released to them, we cannot, because we are guided by Memorandum Circular 48 of the DoJ, which is why we cannot release it,” Matibag said.

Matibag noted that the footage must undergo verification and authentication before its evidentiary value can be formally established.

“What we need to know is to determine if the CCTV footage that was released is the same with what we have,” Matibag said. “If it is the same, then there is real evidence. Our evidence turns out not to be weak after all.”

The statements followed criticisms from Tolentino, who questioned why the media received access to the material while the defense was denied a copy when visiting NBI headquarters to cooperate with the inquiry.

Tolentino warned against selective disclosure and argued that a video showing individuals meeting does not inherently prove a criminal conspiracy or unlawful agreement.

Matibag, however, suggested that the public emergence of the footage gives the defense an opportunity to address the material directly.

“Now that the CCTV is there, it is actually better for them because they can react,” Matibag said. “Apparently, the way they are reacting, it seems they are angry because of the CCTV that was released.”

The NBI is continuing its investigation into the alleged plot to frame Recto, with Paras among the key figures implicated in the case.