Villarin says Labor Usec Paras tried to steal his phone

MANILA, Philippines — Labor Undersecretary Jacinto “Jing” Paras is accused by Rep. Tom Villarin (Akbayan) of attempting to steal his phone.

The lawmaker filed a theft complaint before the Quezon City Prosecutors Office against Paras who allegedly tried to steal his phone at the House of Representatives last March 20.

In a briefing with the House independent minority bloc on Tuesday, Villarin said he and Paras saw each other during a hearing.

Villarin said that he does not know Paras but the latter went up to him and said, “Kayo pala ni Hontiveros ang magkasama.” Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Villarin are both with the Akbayan party-list.

The Akbayan representative said that Paras’ remark seemed to have a “malicious intent.”

Paras is a member of the Volunteers against Crime and Corruption and a former Negros Oriental representative. He filed obstruction of justice, kidnapping, and abuse and exploitation of minors complaints against Hontiveros for allegedly "harboring" underage witnesses in the killing of 17-year-old Kian Delos Santos.

The VACC member also filed anti-wiretapping law complaints against Hontiveros for showing, in a privilege speech at the Senate, a photo of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II sending a text message to a certain "Cong Jing."

Villarin continued that after he was distracted for a moment, he realized that his mobile phone went missing. According to the complaint, Paras engaged the Akbayan solon in small talk while Paras placed his cell phone on top of Villarin's, an iPhone X, which was then placed on top of a table.

"Afterwards, the Respondent (Paras) picked up both cellular phones from the table and left the De Venecia Hall. He then proceeded to Zulueta Hall on the second floor of the same building," part of the complaint reads.

The incident of Paras taking his phone and leaving it in another room were both recorded by the House's CCTV camera.

The lawmaker said that this prompted him to file a case against the labor official.

Philstar.com sought Paras for comment on Villarin's allegations but he has yet to reply as of this story's posting. — Kristine Joy Patag