MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has reversed its earlier dismissal of Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ cyberlibel complaint and ordered charges filed against lawyer Ferdinand Topacio and five pro-Duterte vloggers for allegedly spreading unsubstantiated accusations that she paid and coached witnesses to testify against religious leader Apollo Quiboloy.
In a 17-page resolution dated October 29, the DOJ found sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case with reasonable certainty of conviction against Topacio and vloggers Byron “Banay By” Cristobal, Jeffrey Celiz, Krizette Chu, Jose Sonza, and Alex Moreno.
The charges stemmed from social media posts accusing Hontiveros of paying witnesses, fabricating testimonies and manipulating the Senate investigation into alleged sexual abuse and human trafficking within Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).
The allegations largely relied on statements by former KOJC member Marlon Maurillo, who testified before the Senate in February 2024 about alleged abuses within the religious group.
Maurillo later recanted his testimony, claiming Hontiveros paid him P1 million to testify against Quiboloy, former President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte.
However, the DOJ ruled that the respondents failed to present independent evidence supporting their accusations beyond Maurillo’s claims and their own interpretations.
“More significantly, the records do not disclose a factual basis sufficient to support the aforementioned serious accusations as established truths,” the resolution stated.
The department also rejected defenses invoking freedom of expression, fair comment, satire and reliance on media reports, ruling that these did not excuse serious allegations lacking adequate factual basis.
It further found sufficient grounds to establish actual malice, determining that the disputed statements were published with knowledge of their falsity or reckless disregard for the truth.
The DOJ ordered the filing of charges under the Cybercrime Prevention Act in relation to the libel provisions of the Revised Penal Code.
Hontiveros welcomed the reversal, saying those responsible for spreading false accusations against witnesses in the Quiboloy investigation must face accountability.
“Sinabi natin dati pa: Hindi dapat palampasin ang mapanganib na kasinungalingan laban sa mga tumestigong biktima ng pang-aabuso ni Apollo Quiboloy,” she said Tuesday.
“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 added. “Ngayon, mananagot na sila sa ilalim ng batas.”/PN
