MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday denounced what she described as a “desperate” attempt to derail ongoing investigations against controversial religious leader Apollo Quiboloy and harass witnesses, after a former Senate hearing participant accused her of coercion and bribery.
In a video circulating online, Michael Maurilio — also known by the alias “Rene” — claimed that he was paid ₱1 million by Hontiveros in exchange for false testimony against Quiboloy, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and Vice President Sara Duterte during a Senate hearing in February.
The senator strongly denied the allegations and described them as outright lies aimed at undermining her office’s work.
“My office has tons of evidence to prove that that person’s testimony is nothing more than lies. All witnesses presented during the Quiboloy Senate hearings freely and voluntarily offered their testimonies and the evidence they carried,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
Hontiveros added that the testimonies are backed by a paper trail and corroborated by multiple agencies and officials. She said her team is ready to present video clips, screenshots, and other materials to disprove the allegations at the appropriate time.
“We have reason to believe that this individual has been coerced or paid off to derail the ongoing criminal proceedings against Quiboloy, and disturbingly, threaten my staff and the witnesses who spoke out against Quiboloy’s heinous crimes. Ganyan sila kadesperado (That’s how desperate they are),” she added.
“We are preparing our serious legal response against this act of harassment and intimidation. Hindi namin palalampasin ang mga nasa likod ng pananakot na ito (We will not let this pass),” she emphasized.
Background on Maurilio’s Original Testimony
Maurilio, a former member and landscaper at Quiboloy’s Glory Mountain compound in Davao, first appeared before the Senate Committee on Women on February 19. During that hearing, he gave an emotional account of alleged forced labor and abuse within the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), Quiboloy’s religious organization.
He also made headlines after stating that he saw members of the Duterte family visiting Glory Mountain and allegedly leaving the premises carrying a bag containing firearms.
“I was fully decided, and even though I was scared I said, ‘Nothing can hold me back any longer.’ At first, they didn’t want to allow me, but eventually, they agreed after I said that I would sue Tina San Pedro [reportedly from Sonshine Media Network International],” Maurilio had said during the hearing.
He claimed that upon leaving the KOJC in 2021, he was warned never to speak out — especially about operations within Glory Mountain. He said he was told he would be jailed or forcibly disappeared if he went public.
“I kept quiet for a few years and carried the trauma of what I went through — especially since I’m a member of the LGBTQ community,” he added at the time.
Political Context
The allegations against Hontiveros come amid intensifying scrutiny of Quiboloy, who faces multiple criminal complaints related to alleged human trafficking and abuse. The Senate hearings led by Hontiveros have drawn national attention, with several former KOJC members testifying against the influential pastor.
Political observers note that the emergence of a retracted or reversed testimony — particularly one attacking a vocal opposition figure like Hontiveros — may be part of a broader strategy to discredit the ongoing investigations and shift public narrative.
As of writing, no formal complaint has been filed against the senator. However, her office confirmed it is exploring legal options in response to what it calls “orchestrated harassment.”
