Makabayan bloc files House resolution to probe alleged PH-based operations of Epstein
The Makabayan bloc has filed a House of Representatives resolution to open an investigation into the alleged Philippine-based operations and connections of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In House Resolution No. 762, the representatives of Gabriela Women's Party, Kabataan Party-list, and ACT Teachers Party-list directed the Committees on Public Information and on Women and Gender Equality to start the probes.
According to the Makabayan bloc, this comes amid a recent report indicating that email exchanges in the Epstein Files show the disgraced financier and his associates engaged a team based in the Philippines to clean up his image online after he was convicted as a sex offender.
They also cited a 2010 email where Al Seckel, who was paid to outsource the damage control work, said, "Our group in the Philippines is building links and links to our sites, pseudo sites, and the other Jeffrey Epsteins of the world."
"According to reports, these Philippine-based operations were instrumental in attempts to manipulate media coverage and bury negative press regarding his criminal case," the resolution read.
The lawmakers described the reported activities involving Filipinos as "alarming," as the Philippines is vulnerable to trafficking.
"The potential use of Filipino employees and digital infrastructures that could mask sexual exploitation of women and children underscores the need for legislative scrutiny and policy review to ensure that no elements within the Philippines are vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, or trafficking of persons, including in online contexts," they said.
They added that Congress must identify local individuals or entities that may have aided or benefited from Epstein's alleged operations in the country.
In the Senate, Sen. Loren Legarda said she intends to file a resolution to look into Epstein's network in the country.
The Epstein Files are a cache of records related to the two criminal investigations against Epstein and his associates.
Epstein died in August 2019 while in prison, awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
