Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito “Jonvic” Remulla holds a press conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

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/17859215341401785921531441.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito “Jonvic” Remulla holds a press conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday said he, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin &quot;Boying&quot; Remulla, and others were also allegedly being targeted in what authorities describe as a supposed scheme to fabricate a human trafficking case.</p><p>The interior chief made the statement as the National Bureau of Investigation continues its probe into an alleged plot to frame Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.</p><p>&quot;I would like to think that si Congressman [Leandro] Leviste is a better person,&quot; Remulla said of the Batangas 1st District representative implicated in the alleged plot.</p><p>Leviste has denied involvement.</p><p>Remulls stressed that investigators still need to examine the sworn statement of former congressman Jacinto &quot;Jing&quot; Paras, who has also been implicated in the case.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/3/nbi-subpoenas-leviste-ex-solon-over-alleged-character-assassination-plot-1315">NBI subpoenas Leviste, ex-solon over alleged character assassination plot</a></div><p>He also said it appears that Paras is &quot;behind&quot; the supposed plot. </p><p>He said the lawyer and former lawmaker has become a &quot;person of interest&quot; in the investigation and that authorities are considering filing human trafficking against him.</p><p>Paras&#x27; lawyer Mark Tolentino rejected Remulla&#x27;s remarks. He said that if the government has proof against his client, it should &quot;present such evidence before the appropriate prosecutorial and judicial forums.&quot;</p><p>He said Paras is willing to cooperate with lawful investigations but would contest accusations based on &quot;speculation, untested allegations, or media narratives.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>SUSPECT NAMES PARAS</strong></div><p>The alleged scheme surfaced after the arrest of a talent manager on human trafficking charges. </p><p>The NBI earlier said the suspect claimed he was allegedly asked to recruit women who would later falsely accuse Recto of availing of their services.</p><p>The women were also allegedly told they would be forced to use illegal drugs as part of the supposed setup.</p><p>The NBI said the suspect identified Paras as among those allegedly involved in the supposed character assassination. Leviste was allegedly expected to provide funding for the plan.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/5/nbi-talent-manager-s-apology-won-t-stop-probe-into-alleged-smear-plot-vs-recto-1548">NBI: Talent manager’s apology won&#x27;t stop probe into alleged smear plot vs Recto<br/></a></div><p>NBI Director Melvin Matibag said there is still no evidence to indicate Remulla and other officials were also targets but that the bureau will look into that.</p><p>“Ang maliwanag lang na pruweba base doon sa statement ng dalawa, e nakakausap nila si dating congressman Jing Paras as sila ‘yung nagplano ng tinatawag na character assassination,” he said.</p><p>(What has clear proof based on the statements we have is that they talked to former congressman Jing Paras and that they planned the character assassination together.)</p>

<p>Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday said he, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla, and others were also allegedly being targeted in what authorities describe as a supposed scheme to fabricate a human trafficking case.</p>

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday said he, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla, and others were also allegedly being targeted in what authorities describe as a supposed scheme to fabricate a human trafficking case.

Remulla says he and other execs were also targets of 'character assassination' plan

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Remulla says he and other execs were also targets of 'character assassination' plan

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 05, 2026 05:27 PM PHT

Read More:

Jonvic Remulla

Leandro Leviste

Jing Paras

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