Batangas: Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste snubbed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) proceedings anew over possible human trafficking arising from an alleged plot against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.

According to Philippines News Agency, Leviste's lawyer, Gabrielle Rondain-Kapunan, stated in a chance interview at the NBI headquarters on Tuesday that they invoked Leviste's constitutional right during the NBI investigation. 'We just invoked Rep. Leviste's right to remain silent,' Rondain-Kapunan told reporters.

The lawyer mentioned that they were permitted to review some of the affidavits submitted in the case but refrained from commenting on their contents. 'We were allowed to peruse some affidavits,' she said. When questioned about her assessment of the evidence, Rondain-Kapunan declined to comment but denied the allegations that Leviste financed an alleged honeytrap operation intended to implicate Recto.

The NBI is currently investigating an alleged plot to frame Recto, with Leviste and former Negros congressman Jacinto Paras among those linked to the probe following a raid. The raid resulted in the discovery of a talent manager and several young women allegedly promised millions to participate in the scheme.

Last Friday, the Bureau of Immigration confirmed that Leviste and his mother, Sen. Loren Legarda, left the country on Aug. 2 for medical treatment.