On July 2, 2025, Senator Risa Hontiveros formally filed cyber libel charges before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against several individuals involved in the production and online spread of a video accusing her of bribery.
The video, which appeared on the Facebook and YouTube pages of “Pagtanggol Valiente,” featured MICHAEL P. MAURILLO, who claimed the senator paid him Php 1 million to fabricate testimony against former President Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Sara Duterte, and Pastor Apollo Quiboloy during a Senate hearing on women and children’s rights chaired by Hontiveros.
Senator Hontiveros strongly denied the accusation, describing it as a coordinated attack meant to discredit the ongoing Senate investigation into alleged abuses within the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), headed by Pastor Quiboloy. She presented email evidence showing that MAURILLO had voluntarily reached out to the Senate, identifying himself as a former full-time KOJC member who escaped after experiencing abuse. In his message, he expressed a willingness to testify and seek justice.
According to Hontiveros, MAURILLO gave sworn testimony before the Senate in February 2024. Following this, he reportedly sent text messages warning that he was being harassed and pressured by unnamed individuals to recant his statement. Just days before the controversial video was released, MAURILLO allegedly sent distressing messages claiming he had been kidnapped and was pleading for help.
On June 24, 2025, the video accusing Hontiveros was uploaded online and quickly went viral, amplified by various online personalities and content creators who allegedly failed to verify the claims before spreading them.
Among those named in the complaint for sharing or promoting the video were:
- Trixie Cruz-Angeles and Ahmed Paglinawan
- Krizette “Kiffy” Chu
- Rob Rances
- Sass Rogando Sasot
- Aeron Peña (a.k.a. “Old School Pinoy”)
- Jay Sonza
- Banat By 2.0
- Tio Moreno
- Wredel Esguerra
- Joie Cruz (a.k.a. “Joie De Vivre Every Other Day”)
- Ka Eric Celiz
- Atty. Ranny Randolf B. Libayan of BATASnatin
Hontiveros’ legal team submitted screenshots, links, and digital trails to the NBI to help identify the origin and amplification of the defamatory content.
Additionally, the senator has requested assistance in locating MAURILLO, whose whereabouts remain unknown, and in unmasking the administrators behind the “Pagtanggol Valiente” Facebook account.
“This is not just about me—it’s about protecting truth and accountability in the face of organized disinformation,” Hontiveros said.