DOJ junks Hontiveros’ cyberlibel complaint vs. lawyer, socmed personalities

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has dismissed the cyberlibel complaint filed by Senator Risa Hontiveros against a lawyer and five social media personalities who allegedly fueled allegations that she influenced a man to testify against former President Rodrigo Duterte and several others.

In a 26-page resolution, the panel of prosecutors found no prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to indict lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, Bryon Cristobal or Banat By, Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz, Krizette “Kiffy” Chu, Jose “Jay” Sonza, and Alex Destor or Tio Moreno.

“The declarations of the respondents against complainant Hontiveros-Baraquel may have been offensive, but they are not actionable by themselves,” it said.

“The Supreme Court has remarked that ‘being sensitive’ has no place in this line of service, more so when allowing otherwise has the potential to create a chilling effect on the public,” it added. 

According to the panel, actual malice is not proven.

“It was not established that the defamatory statements were made with knowledge that the statements were false or with reckless disregard as to whether or not they were true,” it said.

GMA News Online has asked Hontiveros’ office for comment and will post it once available.

For his part, Topacio said the ruling is a “vindication” of the right of every citizen to criticize public officials for perceived misconduct.

In 2025, Michael Maurillo claimed that Hontiveros made him speak against Duterte, Vice President Sara Duterte, and detained pastor Apollo Quiboloy. 

He claimed 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 members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) members. He also claimed to have witnessed the Dutertes carrying firearms when visiting Quiboloy.

Hontiveros accused the respondents of allegedly spreading the video and fuelling it.

She filed a separate cyberlibel complaint against Maurillo with the DOJ.

The senator previously denied the allegations, adding that prior to the release of the video, Maurilio sought the senator’s help as he was allegedly kidnapped and detained at Glory Mountain in Davao City. — JMA, GMA Integrated News