Julia Christine Botin

Hontiveros sues 12 people for cyberlibel over KOJC witness videos

Article (news)

David Dizon

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

<div> </div><div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eY675CbqfXs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div><div> </div>MANILA (UPDATED) — Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday filed a cyberlibel complaint against 12 people with alleged links to online videos of Michael Maurilio, who <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/30/-you-have-crossed-the-line-hontiveros-to-sue-people-behind-fake-video-of-senate-witness-1350">claimed he was bribed</a> by the senator to testify against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and Vice President Sara Duterte.Hontiveros went to the National Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday with her lawyers to file the 19-page complaint-affidavit.Named as respondents are the following content creators who Hontiveros said shared the video and added to the lies:1. Trixie Cruz-Angeles and Ahmed Paglinawan 2. Krizette “Kiffy” Chu 3. Rob Rances 4. Sass Rogando Sasot 5. Aeron Peña (alias “Old School Pinoy”) 6. Jay Sonza 7. Banat By 2.0 8. Tio Moreno 9. Wredel Esguerra 10. Joie Cruz (alias “Joie De Vivre Every Other Day”) 11. Jeffrey &quot;Ka Eric&quot; Celis 12. Atty. Ranny Randolf B. Libayan of BATASnatin“Batay sa aking mga abogado, cyber libel ang appropriate na ireklamo dito…Hinding-hindi ako papayag sa ganitong pagsisinungaling,” she told reporters, saying the videos targeted not just her but Senate witnesses and her own staff.(According to my lawyers, cyber libel is the appropriate complaint to file. I will not let these kinds of lies pass)Press freedom and freedom ox expression advocates have long campaigned for the decriminalization of libel and cyber libel, calling it outdated and incompatible with democratic values.More people will be included in the complaint as the investigation continues, Hontiveros said.<div>MAURILIO&#x27;S CLAIM</div>In a video posted on Facebook last June 24, Maurilio claimed he was paid P1 million 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.Hontiveros confirmed Maurilio was a witness in the Senate hearings on Quiboloy, but denied her office gave a bribe to the ex-KOJC member.Hontiveros showed a copy of some of her office’s exchanges with Maurilio, who supposedly approached them to volunteer as a witness.In his email dated December 14, 2023, Maurilio said he left KOJC in 2021 because of abuses inflicted on him.He said he was able to gather the courage to speak and seek for justice and asked: “Ano po ang aking maitutulong?”He messaged two more times, according to Hontiveros. “Nasaan diyan ang pinilit? Muli, siya ang una at paulit-ulit na lumapit. He freely and voluntarily offered his testimony and assistance,” she said. <div>&#x27;MAURILIO ASKED FOR MONEY&#x27;</div>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. 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.“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.In February 2024, Maurilio supposedly admitted that he was being convinced by acquaintances in the KOJC to recant his testimony in the hearing. “Kung may nagbayad kay Michael, hindi na ako magtataka kung KOJC ‘yan,” Hontiveros said.On June 22 and 23, 2025, Maurilio reached out to say he was abducted.“Kinidnap ako at tinatakot ng Kingdom. Dito ako kinulong sa Glory Mountain,” his message read. “Help me please. Send rescue now.”According to Hontiveros, they took his messages seriously.&quot;We forwarded them to the PNP in Davao for immediate action, at noong kumikilos na ang PNP, biglang lumabas ang video,” she said. “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.<div>&#x27;RENE&#x27; SAYS HE HAS EVIDENCE</div>Maurilio said he is ready to come out with his own evidence of his allegations against Hontiveros.In Maurilio’s second video posted on the “Pagtanggol Valiente” Facebook and YouTube accounts on July 1, Maurilio said Hontiveros’ statements during her press conference on June 30 were all lies.&quot;Handa po akong maglabas ng mga ebidensiya, kaukulang ebidensiya, magpapatunay na si Senador Risa ang pasimuno sa mga paninira kay Pastor Apollo Quiboloy at handa po ako sa anomang mga legal na proseso,&quot; Maurilio said in the new video.(I am ready to present evidence to show it was Sen. Risa who is behind th attempt to discredit Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and I am prepared for any legal processes) He denied texting anything to Hontiveros, as he stressed Quiboloy&#x27;s followers did not pay or coerce him to change his story.

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday filed a cyberlibel complaint against 12 people with alleged links to online videos of Michael Maurilio who <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/30/-you-have-crossed-the-line-hontiveros-to-sue-people-behind-fake-video-of-senate-witness-1350">claimed he was bribed</a> by the senator to testify against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and Vice President Sara Duterte.

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday filed a cyberlibel complaint against 12 people with alleged links to online videos of Michael Maurilio who claimed he was bribed by the senator to testify against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and Vice President Sara Duterte.