Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - The Department of Justice has dismissed the cyberlibel complaints filed by Senator Risa Hontiveros against Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Byron “Banat By” Cristobal, Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz, Krizette “Kiffy” Chu, Jay Sonza and Alex “Tio Moreno” Destor. In a resolution dated December 22, 2025, a panel of government prosecutors ruled that there was no prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to indict the respondents. The complaint of Hontiveros stemmed from the video posted on social media of a Senate witness against Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy claiming that he was bribed by Hontiveros in exchange for his testimony. “In their online video and written commentaries, the respondents expressed their opinions against complainant Hontiveros-Baraquel in relation to the video released by Maurillo, a witness presented during a Senate investigation on Quiboloy and the human trafficking, sexual abuse, and exploitation in the KOJC,” said Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Amanda Felipe and Prosecution Attorney Maria Fraulaine May Rapal. The prosecutors noted that while the declarations of the respondents against Hontiveros may have been offensive, they are not actionable by themselves.“The Supreme Court has remarked that &quot;being &#x27;sensitive has no place in this line of service, more so when allowing otherwise has the potential to create a chilling effect on the public,” the prosecutors said. The resolution also stated that actual malice was not proven against the respondents. “It was not established that the defamatory statements were made with knowledge that the statements were false or with reckless disregard as to whether or not they were true,” the prosecutors said.In a statement, Topacio welcomed the decision of the DOJ prosecutors.&quot;The dismissal by the Department of Justice of cyberlibel charges against me made by Senator Risa Hontiveros, is a vindication of the right of every media man and every citizen to legally and responsibly criticize public officials for perceived misconduct and venalities in office,” Topacio said.

The Department of Justice has dismissed the cyberlibel complaints filed by Senator Risa Hontiveros against Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Byron “Banat By” Cristobal, Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz, Krizette “Kiffy” Chu, Jay Sonza and Alex “Tio Moreno” Destor.

The Department of Justice has dismissed the cyberlibel complaints filed by Senator Risa Hontiveros against Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Byron “Banat By” Cristobal, Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz, Krizette “Kiffy” Chu, Jay Sonza and Alex “Tio Moreno” Destor.

DOJ dismisses cyberlibel complaints of Hontiveros vs. social media personalities

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DOJ dismisses cyberlibel complaints of Hontiveros vs. social media personalities

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 05, 2026 04:51 PM PHT

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Risa Hontiveros

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cyberlibel

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