Risa files cyberlibel raps vs six vloggers

Sen. Risa Hontiveros filed cyber libel complaints on Wednesday, July 9 against former Senate witness Michael Maurillo and six vloggers who allegedly helped spread a video accusing her of coercion and bribery.

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The complaints, filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on July 9, stemmed from a video in which Maurillo claimed Hontiveros forced and paid him to testify against detained preacher Apollo Quiboloy during a Senate hearing earlier this year.

Named in the complaint alongside Maurillo were the following vloggers:

• Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio

• Krizette Chu

• Banat By

• Jay Sonza

• Tio Moreno

• Jeffrey Celiz

At a press conference, Hontiveros said the issue goes beyond misinformation.

"Ang nararapat na kaso ay cyberlibel," she said, citing her legal team’s assessment.

"Dahil sa kawalang-pakialaman nila kung totoo o hindi ang kanilang kinakalat, at mga dagdag na kasinungalingan pa na sinabi nila."

Hontiveros said the video and its distribution attempt to "bury the real stories" of witnesses and those helping them.