Labor Usec denies stealing Akbayan lawmaker’s phone

Former Representative Jacinto Paras NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.net

Labor Undersecretary Jacinto “Jing” Paras on Tuesday dismissed as “incredible” and “malicious”  Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin’s allegations that he stole the lawmaker’s smartphone.

“Tom Villarin’s accusation against me is incredible. I have not stolen his cell phone. This accusation is malicious and has political color,” Paras said in text message to INQUIRER.net.

Paras said he may have unknowingly and accidentally taken Villarin’s phone when he placed his phone on his table during a House inquiry last March.

“The possibility is when I placed my phone on the table when I was talking with Villarin, and when I lifted my phone, I must have accidentally lifted his phone also and I proceeded immediately to another hearing at the 2nd floor by the Committee on Mindanao Affairs,” Paras explained.

“When I finished my testimony there, I lifted my phone again and I must have left the phone of Villarin there, which was found by the security and turned over to his staff. I have not stolen his phone because I have an intent to gain from taking it if I accidentally lifted it together with my phone,” he continued.

On Monday, Villarin filed robbery charges against Paras before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office for allegedly “snatching” his iPhone X.

“Note that he was the text mate of former DOJ Sec Vitaliano Aguirre at a time they were caught in the act of allegedly conspiring against Senator Risa Hontiveros, an incumbent senator, right in the very session hall of the Senate,” Villarin said.

Asked if he believed Paras was trying to get evidence against Hontiveros, Villarin said: “Yes, possibly that’s the main motive why he wants to get the cellphone, to get information.” /vvp

READ: Rep. Villarin files theft charges vs DOLE Usec Jing Paras