MANILA, Philippines – Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday, July 2, filed cyberlibel complaints against individuals allegedly behind a viral video featuring a former Senate witness who accused her of coercing testimony. The complaints were filed with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

The complaints specifically name Michael Maurillo, who made the accusations in the video, and “Pagtanggol Valiente,” the YouTube channel and Facebook page responsible for uploading Maurillo’s video.

In the contentious video, which first appeared on Facebook on June 24, Maurillo claimed that Senator Hontiveros compelled him to provide false testimony against former President Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Sara Duterte, and alleged sex offender Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. He further alleged that the opposition lawmaker paid him a total of ₱1 million for his cooperation.

Senator Hontiveros vehemently denied these claims. She stated that Maurillo had contacted her office just days before the video’s release, alleging he had been kidnapped and was being held at the premises of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC). The Philippine National Police (PNP) has since announced an investigation into the supposed kidnapping.

“The main purpose of the complaint is to find out who or what is behind the production of Maurillo’s two videos,” Hontiveros told reporters after filing the complaint, noting that “until now, no one has admitted or claimed the video.”

Hontiveros clarified that Maurillo had initially approached her office to volunteer as a witness. She presented copies of exchanges, including an email from December 14, 2023, where Maurillo stated he left KOJC in 2021 due to abuses and sought to “help” and “seek for justice.” She emphasized, “Where is the coercion there? Again, he was the one who first and repeatedly approached us. He freely and voluntarily offered his testimony and assistance.”

She also addressed Maurillo’s alleged request for financial aid, stating that her office declined to provide money to avoid any impression of witness bribery. Instead, they offered to connect him with an organization assisting 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 asserted.

Furthermore, Hontiveros revealed that in February 2024, Maurillo reportedly admitted to being pressured by acquaintances within KOJC to retract his earlier statements. “If someone paid Michael, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was KOJC,” Hontiveros remarked.

Regarding the abduction claims, Hontiveros confirmed that her office took Maurillo’s messages seriously and forwarded them to the PNP in Davao for immediate action. She noted the timing: “When the PNP was already taking action, the video suddenly came out.”

The senator characterized the sequence of events as “witness tampering, fake news, [and] psychological warfare.”

Beyond Maurillo and “Pagtanggol Valiente,” Hontiveros’s complaints also call for an investigation into several “vloggers” whom she accused of further disseminating disinformation against her. This list includes individuals such as Krizette Chu, Jay Sonza, Sass Rogando Sasot, Trixie Cruz-Angeles, and Banat By, among others.

“This is just the first step,” Hontiveros stated, indicating that further charges and individuals may be identified as the investigation progresses. “We will find out who else should be charged and what else should be charged against them.”