DILG Eyes Human Trafficking Charges vs. Former Presidential Adviser Jing Paras

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities are considering filing a human trafficking complaint against former presidential adviser Jacinto "Jing" Paras over his alleged role in a supposed plot to frame Executive Secretary Ralph Recto in a sex scandal, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said. Remulla described Paras as a principal person of interest after women rescued in the trafficking operation allegedly identified him. "It seems like siya ang pasimuno nito, siya ang konekta sa bugaw, ang bugaw ang nagsabi kung ano ang plano," Remulla said Wednesday, August 5 in a video by the interior department. (Translation: "It appears that he initiated this. He is connected to the pimp, and the pimp disclosed what the plan was.") The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) earlier summoned Paras and Rep. Leandro Leviste (Batangas, 1st District) over their alleged involvement in the scheme. Paras' camp on Tuesday said he was willing to cooperate with the NBI investigation. His lawyer, Mark Tolentino, said Paras appeared before the bureau through legal counsel and requested copies of the complaints, evidence and investigation orders, as well as written clarification of his legal status under the summons. Tolentino said Paras had nothing to hide. "Congressman Paras categorically denies participating in any unlawful conspiracy or any alleged scheme to frame any public official," the statement read. The accusations arose from an NBI operation at a luxury hotel in Manila, where agents arrested a talent manager and said they rescued four women in an alleged human trafficking case. NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the arrested talent manager and one of the women disclosed an alleged plan to lure Recto into sexual activity and later accuse him of drugging the women with cocaine. According to Matibag, the woman identified Leviste as the alleged source of funds and Paras as an intermediary between Leviste and the talent manager. Leviste denied the allegations and claimed the story was fabricated by Recto. He also accused Matibag, without presenting evidence, of acting under orders. "Sasabihin ko na lang na, dahil kilala mo ako, alam mong hindi ako sinungaling, at totoo ang sinasabi kong 'Gawang Recto' lang ang kwentong ito. Alam kong inutusan ka lang, kaya pinapatawad kita," Leviste said in an Aug. 3 statement addressed to Matibag. (Translation: "I will just say that because you know me, you know that I am not a liar and that I am telling the truth when I say this story is merely 'Recto-made.' I know you were only instructed, so I forgive you.") Matibag has denied that anyone ordered him to conduct the investigation.