MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation is preparing to file qualified human trafficking complaints against Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste, former Negros Oriental lawmaker Jacinto “Jing” Paras, and five others in connection with an alleged “honey trap” operation targeting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag said Friday that the complaints would be filed before the Department of Justice, following the bureau’s investigation into allegations that women were being recruited for a fabricated scandal intended to damage Recto’s reputation.
The announcement represents a major escalation in an investigation that began with an anti-human trafficking operation and later expanded into allegations of an organized effort to manufacture accusations against a senior government official.
NBI names Leviste, Paras and four lawyers
Aside from Leviste and Paras, the NBI is also preparing charges against talent manager Alias Ken and four lawyers from the Rondain and Mendiola Law Firm, according to Matibag.
The lawyers identified in the NBI’s latest account are Atty. Ruy Rondain, Atty. Orlando Mendiola and two junior associates.
The NBI alleges that the lawyers were involved in preparing statements that were supposedly intended to be used against Recto.
The accusations remain allegations, and the individuals implicated have denied involvement in the supposed scheme.
How the alleged ‘honey trap’ came to light
The investigation traces back to the July 28 arrest of a talent manager, identified publicly only as Alias Ken, during an NBI anti-human trafficking operation in Manila.
According to Ken’s account, he and four female talents were allegedly recruited for a plan to make accusations against Recto involving sex and illegal drug use.
Ken later told the Inquirer that he met with Paras and lawyers whom he said introduced themselves as representatives of Leviste. He alleged that the women were supposed to be given prepared statements or a “script” describing events that, according to his account, never happened.
The alleged operation was reportedly supposed to culminate in the filing of affidavits before prosecutors, followed by a media conference.
The NBI has described the alleged operation as potentially more than an isolated attempt to smear Recto.
Leviste allegedly identified as financier
One of the most serious allegations concerns Leviste’s purported role as the alleged financier.
Ken claimed that Leviste was repeatedly referred to as the “VIP” and that the operation was supposedly awaiting funding.
Philippine Star reporting likewise said Ken identified Leviste as the alleged figure behind the operation and claimed that lawyers connected to Leviste were involved in preparing affidavits and scripts.
However, an important distinction remains: these are witness allegations, not judicial findings of fact.
Philstar previously reported that NBI Director Matibag acknowledged that investigators initially had testimony from two witnesses linking Leviste and Paras to the alleged scheme.
NBI recovered alleged Viber exchanges
The investigation also took a digital-evidence turn.
Matibag previously said investigators recovered and archived Viber exchanges allegedly involving Paras after obtaining a phone from one of the people connected to the operation.
The NBI said it had authenticated the phone number as belonging to Paras and preserved the messages for the investigation.
Authorities have also subpoenaed the four lawyers allegedly connected to the meetings.
Three of the lawyers eventually appeared before the NBI, while Rondain was unable to attend at the scheduled time because of flooding caused by bad weather.
Lawyers deny the alleged plot
The lawyers have pushed back against the accusations.
Mendiola said the lawyers did meet Ken and the women but characterized the encounter as an interview rather than preparation for a character-assassination operation.
He denied that there was any plan to fabricate accusations against Recto.
Paras has likewise denied the allegations, describing Ken’s accusations as false and saying he would respond through the proper process.
Leviste has also denied involvement in the alleged operation.
Leviste repeatedly declined to personally appear before NBI
Leviste’s handling of the NBI subpoenas has become another major element of the controversy.
In August, he did not personally appear before investigators and instead sent a lawyer. His counsel later invoked his constitutional right to remain silent.
Leviste has also accused Matibag of acting on orders, an allegation the NBI chief strongly rejected.
Matibag said his investigation was based on evidence and the NBI’s legal mandate, insisting that personal relationships would not prevent the bureau from investigating anyone.
NBI sees possible wider political motive
The case became even more politically explosive after Matibag said investigators were considering whether the alleged operation formed part of a broader attempt to discredit the Marcos administration.
According to the NBI chief, witness accounts suggested that local political issues, allegations involving government funds and criticism of Recto were discussed in connection with the supposed operation.
Because Recto serves as executive secretary, Matibag said an attack against him could potentially damage the wider administration.
The NBI has therefore been examining whether the alleged operation targeted only Recto or whether other senior government officials could have been potential targets.
Philstar previously reported that the NBI said several other Cabinet officials were allegedly mentioned as possible targets, including Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon and Information and Communications Secretary Henry Aguda.
Why the “qualified” trafficking charge matters
The term “qualified human trafficking” carries significant legal weight.
Under the Philippines’ Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, trafficking can be classified as qualified when circumstances specified by law are present, including cases involving a syndicate or large-scale trafficking. The law defines a syndicate as three or more persons conspiring or confederating, while large-scale trafficking involves three or more victims.
Qualified trafficking carries a penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of ₱2 million to ₱5 million upon conviction, under the applicable provisions of the law.
That does not, however, mean that the accused have been found guilty.
The NBI’s planned filing is a criminal complaint that will still have to go through the appropriate prosecutorial and judicial processes.
What happens next?
With the NBI now saying it will file the complaints before the DOJ, the focus shifts to the prosecutorial stage, where the allegations and evidence will be evaluated.
The bureau had previously indicated that it expected to complete its investigation within days after obtaining statements from the subpoenaed individuals.
The central questions now include whether prosecutors will find probable cause against Leviste, Paras and the other respondents, and whether the evidence can establish the elements required for a qualified human trafficking case.
For now, the allegations surrounding the supposed honey trap remain contested.
But the NBI’s decision to pursue qualified trafficking complaints against seven individuals marks a significant new chapter in a case that began with the rescue of alleged trafficking victims and has since grown into a politically charged investigation involving a sitting congressman, a former lawmaker, lawyers and one of the Marcos administration’s most senior officials.
The next major test will come before the Department of Justice — where the NBI’s evidence will face formal legal scrutiny.
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