Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Zyann Ambrosio

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178573357803912 (8).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has issued subpoenas to Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste and former congressman Jacinto “Jing” Paras as part of its ongoing investigation into an alleged character assassination plot that surfaced during an NBI human trafficking operation. <em>Leviste and Paras&#x27; Facebook pages</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has issued subpoenas to Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste and former congressman Jacinto “Jing” Paras as part of its ongoing investigation into an alleged character assassination plot that surfaced during an NBI human trafficking operation.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/1/paras-to-answer-nbi-subpoena-once-served-lawyer-2228">Paras to answer NBI subpoena once served—lawyer</a></div><p>NBI Director Melvin Matibag emphasized that, at this stage, neither Leviste nor Paras has been found to have committed any wrongdoing.</p><p>“I have to remind the public that former Congressman Jing Paras and Congressman Leandro Leviste were mentioned by the persons we arrested. As of now, they are not yet considered to have committed any wrongdoing. They are entitled to due process.”</p><p>Matibag said Executive Secretary Ralph Recto remains the subject of the allegations being investigated and that the bureau is now establishing the timeline of events.</p><p>“As of now, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto is the subject of the allegations. We are establishing the timeline, that is why we are subpoenaing the personalities mentioned by the subjects.”</p><p>The NBI is encouraging both Leviste and Paras to cooperate with investigators and present their side of the story.</p><p>“They were mentioned, but we have to inform them. Part of due process is the investigation, so I encourage them to participate and explain their side.”</p><p>In a statement, Leviste insisted that the allegations were made up.</p><p>&quot;Sasabihin ko na lang na, dahil kilala mo ako, alam mong hindi ako sinungaling, at totoo ang sinasabi kong &#x27;Gawang Recto&#x27; lang ang kwentong ito. Alam kong inutusan ka lang, kaya pinapatawad kita. At kahit mawala na ang mga taong nasa paligid mo ngayon, pagdating ng 2028, pwede pa rin tayong magkwentuhan tulad ng dati,&quot; Leviste said in a post addressed to Matibag.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>DUE PROCESS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>According to Matibag, the issuance of subpoenas is part of the bureau’s effort to verify statements obtained during the investigation.</p><p>“There is already an admission and confession from the subjects. That is why they are being given the opportunity to clarify their actual participation.”</p><p>The NBI also stressed that should the allegations prove to be fabricated, the bureau is prepared to assist those who may have been falsely implicated.</p><p>“If they have no involvement and these allegations were only invented, then we are willing to help them prosecute the personalities responsible.”</p><p>The investigation stemmed from an entrapment operation conducted at a five-star hotel in Manila, where NBI agents arrested an alleged talent manager accused of trafficking women for sexual services.</p><p>According to the NBI, intelligence reports indicated that the suspect had been operating as a pimp with an extensive network, allegedly offering women for sexual services for as much as P250,000 per person, with some reported clients allegedly coming from the government.</p><p>As the investigation progressed, the NBI said it uncovered not only alleged human trafficking activities but also information pointing to an alleged plot to discredit senior government officials.</p><p>One of the rescued victims allegedly identified personalities said to have been involved in the purported plot, prompting investigators to issue subpoenas to Leviste and Paras as part of the ongoing fact-finding investigation.</p><p>ABS-CBN News has sought the comment of Recto and is awaiting his response.</p><p>In a previous statement, Leviste denied any involvement in the alleged plot, while Paras likewise denied the accusations against him.</p><p>Meanwhile, the NBI has applied for a cyber warrant to examine the contents of the suspect’s cellphone and validate statements made by the rescued victims. </p><p>Investigators are examining communications related to both the alleged human trafficking operation and the reported character assassination plot.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Sn4KrerAgfM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>NBI Director Melvin Matibag emphasized that, at this stage, neither Leviste nor Paras has been found to have committed any wrongdoing.</p>

NBI Director Melvin Matibag emphasized that, at this stage, neither Leviste nor Paras has been found to have committed any wrongdoing.

NBI subpoenas Leviste, ex-solon over alleged character assassination plot

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NBI subpoenas Leviste, ex-solon over alleged character assassination plot

Zyann Ambrosio,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 03, 2026 01:15 PM PHT

Read More:

NBI

lean leviste

jing paras

crime

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