09/09/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9 September 2026
ATTY. MARK TOLENTINO WITHDRAWS AS COUNSEL FOR FORMER CONGRESSMAN JACINTO βJINGβ V. PARAS
Decision prompted solely by academic commitments and does not reflect any position on the pending complaint
MAKATI CITY β Atty. Mark Kristopher G. Tolentino has formally notified the National Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice of his withdrawal as legal counsel for former Congressman Jacinto βJingβ V. Paras in connection with the complaint for Qualified Trafficking in Persons presently pending before the Department of Justice.
The withdrawal became necessary following Atty. Tolentinoβs admission to a doctoral program at a prestigious university in Asia. He will devote the next several months to advanced academic studies, the demands of which will substantially limit his professional availability.
βThis is a professional decision dictated solely by my academic commitments. It must not be interpreted as a comment on the allegations, evidence, or merits of the pending complaint. I continue to hold former Congressman Paras, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Justice, and all parties concerned in the highest respect,β Atty. Tolentino stated.
Atty. Tolentino emphasized that meaningful legal representation requires adequate time, personal attention, preparation, and diligence. Considering the demands of his doctoral studies, he determined that withdrawal was the responsible course to ensure that former Congressman Paras may be represented by counsel capable of devoting the necessary time and attention to the matter.
Atty. Tolentino remains prepared to facilitate the orderly turnover of all relevant case records and documents to former Congressman Paras or his duly authorized successor counsel, subject to the applicable rules on attorney-client confidentiality and professional responsibility.
The withdrawal is prompted exclusively by Atty. Tolentinoβs academic commitments and should not be construed as an expression of any legal or factual position regarding the pending proceedings.
