Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday said she will file a formal complaint with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) following the release of a video on YouTube discrediting her committee’s work in seeking justice for the victims of detained televangelist Apollo Quiboloy.
According to Hontiveros, the video featuring a man named Michael Maurillo constitutes acts of witness tampering, harassment, and endangerment. He accused the senator and her office of allegedly coercing him to testify against the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder.
“Michael’s video, which exposes the identities of witnesses and victims, and discloses the personal information of my staff, presents a clear and present danger to people’s safety,” said Hontiveros. She strongly denied Maurillo’s allegations, including screenshots of his messages to her office.
“The witnesses and the victims who told the nation about the abuses and charges now being faced by Quiboloy and the KOJC now feel even more threatened after their names were revealed. Some of my staff also have had to exercise extra precaution for themselves and their family,” she added.
The senator reiterated that her office will not be intimidated by attempts to silence or scare whistleblowers and Senate institutions, describing the video as part of a broader effort to discredit testimonies and derail the investigation through misinformation.
Hontiveros said she has consulted her legal team and will seek assistance from the NBI in identifying the creators and distributors of the video.
She also released messages sent by Michael, show he was the one who voluntarily reached out to her office in December 2023, expressing fear for his life and a willingness to testify.
Records show Michael contacted Hontiveros’ office multiple times between December 2023 and January 2024, without any indication of coercion.
“This is the real pattern here: After testifying in the Senate, witnesses are harassed and threatened, and then, suddenly, flipped. So, let’s call this what it is: Witness tampering. Fake news. Psychological warfare,” Hontiveros asserted.
The senator disputed Michael’s disclosure that he was paid to testify, saying he had instead requested financial help for a laptop in February 2024, which her office declined.
Hontiveros said Michael’s own written statements included references to former President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte, contradicting his claim that he was instructed to implicate them.
The senator also clarified that Michael was moved between safehouses due to safety concerns and not placed in any condominium, as claimed.
Hontiveros noted that similar patterns were seen in previous Senate hearings, such as the Pharmally probe, where witnesses were reportedly harassed and pressured.
She warned that the same tactics are being used again to undermine the credibility of the Senate and its witnesses.
“To those behind this: You don’t scare us. But you should be scared of the truth. Because no one gets to endanger our witnesses, my staff, or harass the Senate with impunity,” Hontiveros said.
“We will not let this slide. We will fight back. They won’t be able to stop the truth,” she added.
