Manila — Julie Defensor, wife of former congressman Mike Defensor, has released a strong statement denying allegations that she, her son Miguel, and their businesses are involved in a human trafficking case filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). She called the accusations “baseless, malicious” and claimed they are politically motivated attacks meant to target her husband.

The NBI recently filed complaints against Julie Defensor and her son Miguel at the Pasig City Prosecutor’s Office, alleging violations of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. The charges stemmed from a raid in Pasig City where 54 women were rescued from alleged sexual exploitation in establishments linked to the Defensor family. Authorities claimed that the victims were recruited under the guise of being “customer care assistants” and were exploited in exchange for payments ranging from P10,000 to P20,000.

Julie Defensor categorically denied the accusations, saying, “I am issuing this statement to categorically and forcefully deny the baseless, malicious allegations directed at me, my daughter, and our associated businesses. Let me be absolutely clear regarding the recent NBI operation: we have absolutely no connection to the targeted establishment or its operations. Any attempt to link our family to the abhorrent acts allegedly committed there is a deliberate, dangerous, and desperate lie.”

She further accused NBI Director Melvin Matibag of using her family as collateral in a political vendetta against her husband. “If you have a political or personal grievance with Mike, have the courage to resolve it with him directly. Stop using me, our daughter, and hundreds of innocent displaced workers as collateral damage in a dispute that has nothing to do with us,” she said.

Defensor emphasized that the allegations have already caused collateral damage, claiming that around 1,000 employees across various companies lost their jobs due to perceived association with her husband. “This is a fabricated pretext designed to artificially manufacture a case, with the chilling goal of filing unwarranted, unbailable charges against me and my daughter,” she added.

The NBI, however, maintains that corporate records and documents recovered during the raid link the establishments to the Defensor family. Officials stressed that the filing of charges is based on evidence gathered during surveillance and operations, and denied that the case is politically motivated.

As the case moves forward, Julie Defensor vowed to fight the allegations in court and clear her family’s name. “We will not be bullied, silenced, or intimidated by these cowardly tactics. We will exercise the full extent of the law to clear our names, expose this harassment, and hold those responsible accountable,” she said.

The controversy has sparked widespread attention, with critics calling for transparency in the investigation and supporters of the Defensor family alleging political harassment. The Pasig City Prosecutor’s Office is expected to evaluate the complaint and determine whether formal charges will be filed.

Image from Mike Defensor IG