Senator Risa Hontiveros announced plans to file a formal complaint with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against the individuals behind a viral video that accused her of bribing a witness in the Apollo Quiboloy case.
The video features Michael Maurilio, also known as “alias Rene,” who claimed he was paid by Hontiveros to lie about Quiboloy and former President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte. Hontiveros called the video “fake news” and “witness tampering,” presenting emails and messages that showed Rene voluntarily reached out to her office in December 2023 to testify about alleged abuses in Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).
“To those behind this video—you have crossed the line,” Hontiveros said, vowing to file the NBI complaint on Wednesday. She emphasized that Rene was never offered financial assistance and dismissed his claim of receiving P1 million as false.
The senator also revealed that just before the video’s release, Rene claimed he was kidnapped and held in Davao City, prompting her to alert the local police. Hontiveros suspects KOJC may have coerced Rene into recanting his testimony.
She underscored that other witnesses are standing by their statements and denounced the broader trend of threats and harassment aimed at silencing them.
Quiboloy is currently detained and facing multiple charges, including qualified human trafficking and child abuse.