Hontiveros to file complaint over ‘fake news’ video, witness tampering

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

She said the video showing former witness Michael Maurilio (alias “Rene”) has put lives in danger by exposing confidential identities and personal information. She called the video “fake news.” (File Photo: Senator Risa Hontiveros/Facebook)

MANILA – Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday said she will file a formal complaint with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in connection with a video of a witness recanting his Senate testimony.

In a press briefing, Hontiveros called the video a clear case of “witness tampering” and “psychological warfare” intended to harass victims, threaten her staff, and discredit the Senate investigation into the alleged abuses committed by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his religious group, Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

She said the video showing former witness Michael Maurilio (alias “Rene”) has put lives in danger by exposing confidential identities and personal information. She called the video “fake news.”

“This isn’t just an attack on my office. This is an attack on truth-telling. We will not allow them to scare the witnesses or intimidate the Senate,” Hontiveros said.

The senator confirmed that she had already consulted with her legal team and would file a complaint with the NBI on Wednesday.

She added that her office is also preparing to file criminal charges against those behind the production and online distribution of the video.

“You have crossed the line. This is only step one,” Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros said Maurilio voluntarily approached her office three times between December 2023 and January 2024, claiming he was a former member of Quiboloy’s group and that he feared for his life after leaving the organization.

“In his first email to my office, he wrote ‘dati rin po akong worker ni Pastor Quiboloy … tumiwalag dahil sa pang-aabuso at pananakit … ngayon lang nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob dahil na rin sa takot, baka ipapatay ako’ (I was once a worker of Pastor Quiboloy … I left because of the abuses and violence … I only gained the courage now because I fear for my life),” Hontiveros said.

She denied claims made in the video that her office coerced or paid Maurilio to testify, revealing that he even requested for financial help in February 2024 to buy a laptop, which the senator’s office declined in keeping with its policy.

“Our office has a strict policy of not providing financial assistance to potential witnesses. He knew that. And yet now, on video, he claims we gave him PHP1 million? That is a lie and he knows it,” she said.

Hontiveros also refuted Maurilio’s claim that he was instructed to include former president Rodrigo R. Duterte and Vice President Sara Z. Duterte in his testimony.

She said the names of the Duterte family members were already in Maurilio’s original affidavit, which he submitted on his own accord.

On living arrangements, Hontiveros clarified that Maurilio was moved among various safehouses organized with the help of civil society and religious partners because of alleged threats to his life — not placed in any condominium unit owned by her.

She further disclosed that Maurilio had previously reported being harassed and even kidnapped by individuals linked to Quiboloy’s group, sending distress messages to her staff as recently as June 22 and 23. The incidents were referred to the Philippine National Police in Davao.

“Just like what happened during the Pharmally hearings, witnesses are threatened after testifying, then later recant. This is the real modus. This is witness tampering,” Hontiveros said, referring to the firm that supplied medical items during the Covid-19 pandemic between 2019 and 2020.

She emphasized that the disinformation campaign undermines the safety and credibility of not just one, but 14 other witnesses who came forward with allegations against Quiboloy and his group.