The lawyers being linked to the alleged honeytrap plot targeting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto reportedly came from the law firm founded by Ruy Rondain, counsel of former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, Politiko has learned.
A source told Politiko that the four lawyers whom the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is expected to subpoena this week were reportedly affiliated with Rondain & Mendiola, the Ortigas-based law firm founded by Rondain and Orlando Mendiola.
The Ortigas connection appears to dovetail with details disclosed by NBI Director Melvin Matibag during a press briefing Saturday (August 8), when he said the lawyers being investigated belonged to a law firm with high-profile clients.
“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,” Matibag said.
The lawyers’ identities have yet to be officially disclosed by the NBI.
The alleged honeytrap operation supposedly involved luring Recto into compromising or sexual situations that could later be used to damage his reputation.
The lawyers were allegedly tapped to help the women involved prepare affidavits that would eventually be used to implicate Recto in legal proceedings, giving the purported setup a paper trail that could lend credibility to the accusations.
Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste has been accused of masterminding the alleged scheme. Several Cabinet secretaries and senators were also supposedly lined up as targets.
Leviste has denied any involvement in the alleged honeytrap operation. He left the Philippines before the NBI could serve him a subpoena in connection with its investigation.
As of posting time, Rondain has yet to respond to the Abante Bilyonaryo Group’s request for comment on whether the lawyers being investigated by the NBI are affiliated with his firm.
