(Photo courtesy of PNA)
MANILA – Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday emphasized that freedom of speech and press freedom should not be used as justification for spreading false allegations against witnesses who testified in the Senate investigation into the alleged sexual abuse and human trafficking activities of religious leader Apollo Quiboloy.
Hontiveros issued the statement after the Department of Justice (DOJ) reversed its earlier decision dismissing cyber libel complaints against six individuals accused of spreading false information targeting the Senate, its personnel and witnesses.
“Sinabi natin dati pa: hindi dapat palampasin ang mapanganib na kasinungalingan laban sa mga tumestigong biktima ng pang-aabuso ni Apollo Quiboloy,” Hontiveros said.
In a resolution dated October 29, the DOJ recommended filing cyber libel charges against lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, Byron Cristobal, also known as Banat By, Jeffrey Celiz, Krizette Chu, Jose Sonza, known as Jay Sonza, and Alex Destor, also known as Tio Moreno.
The resolution reversed the department’s previous dismissal of the complaints due to insufficient evidence. The DOJ had separately recommended charges against former Senate witness Michael Maurillo.
Hontiveros maintained that legitimate criticism of government officials must be distinguished from what she described as deliberate and coordinated efforts to spread disinformation and discredit witnesses in congressional investigations.
“We will always defend and support free speech and the press. Pero iba ito sa sistematiko at sadyang pagpapakalat ng fake news laban sa Senado, sa aming staff, at sa matatapang na testigong nagbigay ng testimonya sa imbestigasyon laban sa malawakang sexual abuse at human trafficking,” she said.
The complaints originated from a viral video circulated in June 2025 in which Maurillo alleged that Hontiveros paid him Php 1 million to fabricate testimony against Quiboloy.
Hontiveros denied the accusation and filed cyber libel complaints against Maurillo and six other individuals in July 2025.
The senator argued that the allegations not only damaged her reputation but also placed witnesses who participated in the Senate investigation at risk.
The DOJ’s latest resolution recommended the filing of charges against the six respondents, although the decision does not establish criminal liability, which must be determined through judicial proceedings.
“Ngayon, mananagot na sila sa ilalim ng batas,” Hontiveros said, welcoming the development.
The respondents remain entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence as the cases proceed through the legal system.
