Risa Hontiveros gained an early legal advantage after the Department of Justice filed a cyber libel case against a former Senate witness who publicly accused her of coercion, allegations that prosecutors have now rejected.
The Department of Justice confirmed that a cyber libel case was filed against Michael Maurillo before the Pasay City Regional Trial Court. The filing stemmed from a complaint lodged by Hontiveros following a viral video in which Maurillo claimed he had been bribed or coerced into testifying during the Senate investigation into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and figures linked to Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy and the Duterte family.
Maurillo had earlier appeared as a witness in the Senate inquiry before releasing the video accusing Hontiveros of improper conduct. The allegations circulated widely online and directly questioned the integrity of the Senate investigation led by the senator.
In a press conference, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said the Justice Department had completed its review of the complaint and reached a resolution against the former witness. He confirmed that the case was filed last month.
“We did come out with a resolution as against the witness referred to doon sa kaso na finile ni Sen. Hontiveros, Michael Maurilio,” Fadullon said.
“The department resolved and made the recommendation to indict Maurillo for cyber libel.”
The Justice Department’s decision directly contradicts Maurillo’s claims and formally advances Hontiveros’ complaint into court proceedings. By approving the filing of charges, prosecutors signaled that the allegations made in the viral video were considered actionable under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
The case marks the first concrete legal outcome arising from the accusations against Hontiveros. It also shifts the dispute from public allegations to a judicial process, where Maurillo will be required to answer the cyber libel charge before the trial court.
Proceedings will now move forward in Pasay City as the case undergoes further litigation.
