THE legal counsel of Jacinto “Jing” Villegas Paras warned on Saturday of possible legal action against those behind the circulation and publication of baseless allegations against the former Negros Oriental first district representative.
Paras, who also served in the Duterte administration as a department undersecretary and presidential adviser on political affairs, is currently accused by the National Bureau of Investigation of acting as an intermediary in a character assassination plot targeting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto. An arrested talent manager and a rescued human trafficking victim alleged that Paras coordinated communications to recruit four women to falsely claim that Recto forced them into sexual acts and illegal drug use.Paras’ lawyer Mark Kristopher Tolentino said the circulating affidavit linking his client to the plot contains only “untested allegations” and is not evidence unless authenticated and corroborated by competent, credible and independent proof. He noted that the document contains visible handwritten alterations that raise doubts on its integrity.”The rule of law demands proof — not insinuation. Political controversy cannot replace evidence, and an allegation can never substitute for a crime,” Tolentino said in the statement.He said that no competent evidence has been presented showing Paras committed any punishable offense, adding that the former lawmaker is presumed innocent under the Constitution and cannot be tried through political propaganda.Tolentino said the perpetrators could face civil, criminal and administrative cases. He urged the media, online platforms and the public to respect due process and allow the courts, not public opinion, to determine the truth.