MANILA – Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday filed a cyber libel complaint before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against individuals allegedly behind the production and online spread of viral videos featuring former Senate witness Michael Maurilio.
The videos, which have circulated widely on social media, show Maurilio retracting his earlier testimony before the Senate, in which he accused televangelist Apollo Quiboloy of abuse and linked members of the Duterte family to suspicious activities at Quiboloy’s Davao compound. In the new footage, Maurilio claims he was coerced and bribed to testify.
“These videos are not only full of lies—they are also tools of psychological warfare designed to discredit me, the Senate investigation, and the witnesses who came forward,” Hontiveros said during a press conference at the NBI headquarters.
She emphasized that the complaint specifically targets the producers and distributors of the videos, including vloggers and online influencers who allegedly amplified the false narratives.
“Hanggang ngayon, wala pa ring umaamin, wala pa ring nag-aangkin ng produksyon ng mga video ni Michael Maurilio,” she said.
(To this day, no one has claimed responsibility for producing the Michael Maurilio videos.)
Among those named in the complaint are content creators Krizette Chu, Jay Sonza, Sass Rogando Sasot, Trixie Cruz-Angeles, and Banat By. Hontiveros said the list currently includes around a dozen individuals, with more expected to be added as the investigation progresses.
According to the senator, the case was filed under the Cybercrime Prevention Act, with charges specifically for cyber libel, not perjury or traditional libel. This approach was based on legal guidance from her team.
“As a public official, I can take criticism—but I will never allow outright lies and digital harassment to go unchecked,” she said. “Hinding-hindi ako papayag sa ganitong mga pagsisinungaling.”
Maurilio was among the first witnesses to testify during the Senate probe led by Hontiveros into alleged abuses by Quiboloy and the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC). He had voluntarily reached out to the senator’s office in December 2023 and January 2024, providing sworn statements and cooperating with investigators.
However, on June 22 and 23, Maurilio sent distressing messages to Senate staff claiming he was being held against his will at Quiboloy’s Glory Mountain compound. Just one day after those messages, a newly created YouTube channel named “Pagtanggol Valiente” uploaded the now-viral video in which he disavows his earlier claims.
“I have asked the NBI to investigate the origins of that channel and the individuals managing it,” Hontiveros said.
While a Senate inquiry into disinformation remains a possibility, Hontiveros said her immediate focus is on pursuing criminal complaints.
“This is only the first step. We will file additional charges as soon as the NBI identifies those responsible for producing and spreading these deceptive videos,” she said.
Despite her concern for Maurilio’s safety, the senator said he must still be held accountable for his role in spreading disinformation—unless it is proven he was coerced.
“If he’s truly in danger or being manipulated, rescuing him becomes even more urgent. But if he knowingly took part in this deception, then there must be consequences,” she added. (PNA)
