Hontiveros files cyberlibel complaints against 13 individuals for spreading disinformation

Senator Risa Hontiveros filed cyberlibel complaints with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday against Michael Maurilio, alias 'Rene,' and 12 other individuals linked to online videos falsely claiming she bribed him to testify in Senate hearings.

Hontiveros appeared at the NBI alongside her legal counsel to name Krizette Chu, Jay Sonza, Sass Rogando Sasot, Trixie Cruz-Angeles, Banat By, and other content creators as among those included in the complaint for allegedly spreading disinformation.

Maurilio released a video on June 24 alleging that Hontiveros gave him P1 million to falsely testify against Apollo Quiboloy and pressure him to implicate former President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte, who now faces impeachment.

Hontiveros emphasized she will not tolerate such false claims and warned more individuals may be included in her complaint as the investigation continues.

She also raised fresh concerns over Maurilio's whereabouts, saying the Senate received messages from him as recently as June 22 and 23, claiming he was being held against his will by the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) at Glory Mountain.