Hontiveros files cyberlibel complaints vs. alias Rene, 6 others with DOJ

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday filed separate cyberlibel complaints with the Department of Justice against a lawyer, five social media personalities, and Michael Maurillo, the man who claimed he was influenced to testify against former President Rodrigo Duterte and others.

Maurillo or alias Rene was the sole respondent in one complaint while lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, Bryon Cristobal or Banat By, Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz, Krizette “Kiffy” Chu, Jose “Jay” Sonza, and Alex Destor or Tio Moreno were the respondents in the other complaint.

“Hindi lang po ito kaso ng fake news… ito ay sistematiko at sadyang pag-atake pati sa mga witnesses, mga taong nag lakas loob sa kabila ng kanilang takot na sabihin ang kanilang katotohanan,” Hontiveros said in a press briefing.

(This is not just a case of fake news… this is a systematic and deliberate attack even on the witnesses, on the people who had the courage despite their fear to tell their truth.)

“Sinusubukan nilang ibaon ang totoong kwento ng mga taong ito at ng mga taong tumutulong sa kanila. Hinding-hindi nila pwedeng gawin ito sa sa mga taong ito,” she added. 

(They are trying to bury the true story of these people and of those helping them. They can never do this to these people.)

Hontiveros said more complaints may be filed against other individuals. 

In one video posted on Facebook, Maurillo previously claimed that Hontiveros made him speak against Duterte, Vice President Sara Duterte, and detained pastor Apollo Quiboloy. 

He said that everything he and other witnesses stated in the hearings of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality were fabricated.

Maurillo previously testified in a Senate hearing that Quiboloy hurt him and that he was sexually abused by several KOJC members. He also said he witnessed the Dutertes carrying firearms when visiting Quiboloy.

Meanwhile, Hontiveros said the social media personalities are spreading the video and fueling it. 

“Iyang video na ‘yan, ‘yung pagkalat niyan, ‘yung pagdagdag pa ng mga kasinungalingan ng vloggers na ito ay atake din sa mandato at kapangyarihan ng Senado. Ang Senado na nakikipaglaban para sa mga taong hindi kayang ipaglaban ang sarili nila,” she said.

(That video, its spread, and the addition of lies by these vloggers is also an attack on the mandate and authority of the Senate. The Senate fights for people who cannot fight for themselves.)

“Walang senador na papayag diyan. Hindi papayag ang Senado diyan,” she added.

(No senator will agree to that. The Senate will not allow that.)

GMA News Online has sought comment from the respondents but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

For his part, Topacio said he has not yet seen the complaint.

In a message to reporters, Celiz said the complaint is an attack against free speech and freedom of expression, adding that Hontiveros is “harassing and intimidating messengers of truth.”

Meanwhile, Destor said that he only made a summary of Maurillo’s video.

“My post contained no additional claims or distortions. It was a straightforward summary, paired with commentary on Risa Hontiveros’ public actions, something well within my rights under the 1987 Constitution's guarantee of free speech,” he said.

Last week, Hontiveros filed a complaint with the National Bureau of Investigation against Maurillo and the Pagtanggol Valiente social media account, which posted his videos.

She also asked the NBI to investigate the individuals behind Pagtanggol Valiente, noting that it was created on the day after Maurillo’s last message to the senator’s camp asking for help, as well as other vloggers.

Asked if she is seeking to take down Pagtanggol Valiente, Hontiveros said she is leaving it up to the NBI. She said it is most important to identify the identity of the individuals behind the account, which she called a “fake news channel.” 

Hontiveros, meanwhile, did not discredit the possibility that Maurillo may still be a victim.

“Posibleng biktima pa rin siya hanggang ngayon. ‘Yun ‘yung hinihingi ko ng kalinawan sa NBI. Pero malinaw din na gumawa siya ng video na inupload at kina kasinungalingan hindi lang ako kung hindi kina sisinungalingan pati ‘yung higit na 12 pang witnesses,” she said.

(It’s possible that he is still a victim up to now. That’s what I’m asking the NBI to clarify. But it’s also clear that he made a video that was uploaded and contained lies not just about me but also about more than 12 other witnesses.)

She also stressed that she believes in the freedom of speech and freedom of expression, but added that this does not extend to spreading lies who put others in danger.—AOL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News