Hontiveros sues Quiboloy probe ex-witness, vloggers for cyberlibel
UNCOWED “This is just the first step,” vowed Sen. Risa Hontiveros as she filed cyberlibel charges at the National Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday over claims that she had bribed a witness to testify against televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, which pro-Duterte vloggers also amplified online. —Niño Jesus Orbeta
MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday filed cyberlibel complaints against personalities allegedly behind a video of a former Senate witness accusing her of coercing testimony against the Dutertes and jailed televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, the latter on trial for sex abuse and human trafficking.
Hontiveros filed the complaints before the National Bureau of Investigation and listed as respondents ex-witness Michael Maurilio, the one who made the accusations; and Pagtanggol Valiente, the person behind the YouTube channel and Facebook page that uploaded the video.
The senator explained that her lawyers determined cyberlibel to be the most appropriate complaint against the respondents.
READ: Hontiveros to ex-witness’ backers: Be afraid of the truth
“The main purpose of the complaint is to find out who or what is behind the production of Maurilio’s two videos,” said Hontiveros in a chance interview with reporters after filing the complaint. “Because until now, no one has admitted to or claimed the video.”
Hontiveros said her complaints also called for the probe of several “vloggers,” whom she accused of fanning Maurilio’s accusations and spreading further disinformation against her.
These vloggers include Krizette Chu, Jay Sonza, Sass Roganda Sasot, Trixie-Cruz Angeles, and Banat By, among others.
More cases to come
“This is just the first step, and we will find out who else should be charged and what other cases we should file against them,” she added.
Hontiveros expressed hope that Maurilio would soon be placed under police custody, not only to put a halt to the alleged fake allegations against her, but also for his safety.
In the now-viral video, Maurilio claimed he was forced by Hontiveros to testify against former President Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Sara Duterte, and Quiboloy.
He also claimed that he was paid a total of P1 million by the opposition lawmaker to do so.
Hontiveros refuted the accusation by revealing that it was Maurilio who had reached out to her office a few days before the video was published, asking for help because he was allegedly kidnapped and was being detained in the premises of Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) sect in Davao City.
E-mails, texts
To support her rebuttal, Hontiveros presented screenshots of the emails and text messages Maurilio allegedly sent to her office beginning in 2023, in which he volunteered to testify in the Senate hearings on Quiboloy.
Maurilio would serve as one of the 14 witnesses and self-confessed former KOJC members to come forward and testify in the Senate investigation on the alleged abuses committed by Quiboloy and his religious organization.
The Philippine National Police said it had begun investigating the supposed kidnapping of Maurilio by the KOJC. /cb
