DoJ won’t relent on Leviste, Robin

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has asked the Department of Justice (DoJ) to issue an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste and six others linked to an alleged plot to implicate Executive Secretary Ralph Recto in fabricated sex and drug scandals.

The NBI sought the ILBO against Leviste, former Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto “Jing” Paras, a talent manager identified only as Ken, and lawyers Ruy Rondain, Orlando Mendiola, Patrick Criaga and Josemilio Manuel Apostol from the Rondain and Mendiola Law Firm.

The request was made in connection with the NBI’s investigation of a complaint for qualified human trafficking against the respondents over the alleged scheme.

According to the NBI, the respondents were allegedly involved in a “honey trap” and character assassination operation intended to snare Recto in fabricated sex and drug scandals.

The investigation began after the arrest of the talent manager known as Ken who told investigators he met with the other respondents to plan the operation.

The NBI has not yet established the respondents’ liability in court, and the allegations remain under investigation and subject to legal proceedings.

Leviste left the Philippines in early August and has been tracked transiting through France and Switzerland.

Robin subpoena coming

Meanwhile, the DoJ said it is unperturbed if supporters of Senator Robin Padilla stage a rally when he answers the agency’s summons next week.

Justice Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato said the DoJ will proceed with its investigation of Padilla based on the complaint filed against the opposition senator in connection with the escape of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa from the Senate last May.

“The department will proceed based on a complaint and counter-affidavit or any reply and rejoinder. That is to say, the processes at the department are codified in a manual,” Dato said.

He added, “So the department will not be affected by any noise that is raised in the matter that is before it. But we trust that any such event, should it happen, is within the province of our law enforcement agencies.”

The National Prosecution Service has summoned Padilla to appear before a panel of prosecutors and answer the obstruction-of-justice complaint filed against him.