NBI Summons 4 Lawyers in Alleged 'Honeytrap' Plot Against Ralph Recto

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has summoned four lawyers tagged in an alleged plot to frame Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, ordering them to appear for an inquiry next week. NBI Director Melvin Matibag bared this during a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday. “‘Yung apat na abogado na identified na involved dito sa scheme na ‘to, sa plano na ‘to ay amin na pong pina-subpoena to appear next Friday (August 14),” Matibag said. The NBI chief did not disclose the four lawyers’ identities, but said they are from the same law firm located in Ortigas Center. Matibag said the lawyers prepared the affidavits for the alleged plot. “Ang mga kliyente nila, mga personalities din na malalaki. Ang problema, ‘yung dalawang abogado na involved, kilala na… at senior partners na… ‘Yung dalawa naman, ‘yun ang kaawa-awa. Bagong abogado. So, malalaman po natin by next week,” he said. To recall, NBI agents rescued several individuals during an entrapment operation. Some of the victims later bared that former lawmaker Jing Paras allegedly told them they would be paid to create a story and sign an affidavit, and they would receive their payment in tranches as the case went on. The bureau has also issued subpoenas to Paras and Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste, who was supposedly mentioned by the former lawmaker to the women. He also asked Leviste if he was categorically denying that he talked with Paras. Both Paras and Leviste have denied the allegations against them. —KG, GMA News