Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Sen. Risa Hontiveros presides over the public hearing of the Committee on Women, Family Relations and Gender Equality on Thursday, October 26, 2023. Voltaire F. Domingo, Senate PRIB/File

Article (news)

SENATE

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175126184562920231026-senate-hontiveros-SPRIB-3.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Sen. Risa Hontiveros presides over the public hearing of the Committee on Women, Family Relations and Gender Equality on Thursday, October 26, 2023. Voltaire F. Domingo, Senate PRIB/File</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Monday said she would personally go to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to file a complaint against the people who created and circulated the alleged fake video of former Senate witness Michael Maurilio, who goes by the alias “Rene.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/23/eye-to-eye-with-quiboloy-hontiveros-asks-did-you-sexually-abuse-kojc-women-children-1344">Eye to eye with Quiboloy, Hontiveros asks: &#x27;Did you sexually abuse KOJC women, children?&#x27;</a></div><p>Hontiveros is set to file the complaint on Wednesday. </p><p>In a video posted on Facebook last June 24, Maurilio claimed he was paid by Hontiveros to give a false testimony against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and Vice President Sara Duterte.</p><p>In a press conference on Monday, Hontiveros confirmed Maurilio was one of their witnesses in the hearings of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality on the alleged crimes of Quiboloy, but belied his statements.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/26/hontiveros-denies-claim-of-alleged-witness-who-says-he-was-paid-to-testify-vs-quiboloy-dutertes-1406">Hontiveros readies ‘serious legal response’ vs witness who says he was &#x27;paid&#x27; to testify vs Quiboloy, Dutertes</a></div><p>“I have consulted with my legal team and on Wednesday, we will file a complaint before the NBI and seek their assistance in investigating the people responsible for this video, and those systematically circulating it in their disinformation networks,” she said. </p><p>“This is only step one and we will take further decisive action, including the filing of criminal complaints. Para sa mga testigo at biktima, at para sa Senado, maniningil kami ng hustisya,” she added.</p><p>She said she was particularly angry about the disclosure of the identities of victims and other witnesses, which puts their lives in danger. </p><p>“Yung video niya, hindi lamang fake news. Ito ay malinaw na witness tampering,” Hontiveros said.</p><div><a href="http://abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/26/hontiveros-denies-claim-of-alleged-witness-who-says-he-was-paid-to-testify-vs-quiboloy-dutertes-1406">Ex-KOJC member recalls sexual abuse, months-long fasting &#x27;to slowly kill me&#x27;</a></div><p>She said they feel more threatened now. </p><p>“Michael exposed people who trusted the Senate with their stories. And these are people who are already afraid. Now, they are in danger-- again! Yan ang talagang ikinagagalit ko,” Hontiveros said.</p><p>“Make no mistake: This isn’t just an attack on my oﬃce. This is an attack on truth-telling. Kaya hindi natin hahayaan na takutin nila ang mga witnesses, at sindakin nila ang Senado. Kaya, sa mga nasa likod ng video na ito: You have crossed the line. Sobra na kayo,” she continued.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RECEIPTS</strong> </div><div><br/></div><p>Hontiveros showed a copy of some of her office’s exchanges with Maurilio who supposedly approached them to volunteer as a witness.</p><p>In his email dated December 14, 2023, Maurilio said he left KOJC in 2021 because of abuses inflicted on him. He was able to gather the courage to speak and seek for justice.</p><p>He asked, “Ano po ang aking maitutulong?”</p><p>He messaged two more times, according to Hontiveros. </p><p>“Nasaan diyan ang pinilit? Muli, siya ang una at paulit-ulit na lumapit. He freely and voluntarily offered his testimony and assistance,” she said. </p><p>In the original draft of his affidavit, Maurilio supposedly said the Dutertes sometimes visited KOJC’s Glory Mountain in Davao City, and brought with them huge bags with firearms every time they left. </p><p>A screenshot of Maurilio asking for financial assistance from Hontiveros’ office was also shown. His request was turned down to avoid the impression of paying witnesses. Hontiveros’ staff said they will try to link him to an organization that helps trafficking victims.</p><p>“He knew that. And yet now, on video, he claims we gave him P1 million? That is a lie and he knows it!” Hontiveros emphasized.</p><p>In February 2024, Maurilio supposedly admitted that he was being convinced by acquaintances in the KOJC to recant his testimony in the hearing. </p><p>“Kung may nagbayad kay Michael, hindi na ako magtataka kung KOJC ‘yan,” Hontiveros said.</p><p>On June 22 and 23, 2025, Maurilio reached out to say he was abducted.</p><p>“Kinidnap ako at tinatakot ng Kingdom. Dito ako kinulong sa Glory Mountain,” his message read. “Help me please. Send rescue now.”</p><p>According to Hontiveros, they took his messages seriously. </p><p>&quot;We forwarded them to the PNP in Davao for immediate action, at noong kumikilos na ang PNP, biglang lumabas ang video,” she said. </p><p>“This is the real pattern here: After testifying in the Senate, witnesses are harassed and threatened, and then, suddenly, flipped. So, let’s call this what it is: Witness tampering. Fake news. Psychological warfare,” she added.</p><div><a href="http://abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/23/ex-kojc-member-recalls-sexual-abuse-months-long-fasting-to-slowly-kill-me-1205">Who is Apollo Quiboloy?</a></div><p>Hontiveros believes Maurilio’s allegations will not weaken their findings during the Senate hearings. She said some of the 13 witnesses even reached out to them to say they are committed to testifying again.</p><p>It can be recalled that Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa shared the video of Maurilio on his Facebook page.</p><p>To this, Hontiveros said, “Para sa akin, kaming mga senador dapat nagse-share kami ng katotohanan. Di kami dapat nagse-share ng fake news or <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/25/ai-fakes-duel-over-sara-duterte-impeachment-in-philippines-1301">AI generated video</a>.“</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Npp2T4LcVxU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Sen. Risa Hontiveros is set to file the complaint on Wednesday. </p>

Sen. Risa Hontiveros is set to file the complaint on Wednesday.

'You've crossed the line': Hontiveros to sue people behind video of KOJC witness

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'You've crossed the line': Hontiveros to sue people behind video of KOJC witness

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 30, 2025 01:50 PM PHT

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