SENATOR Risa Hontiveros has debunked the claims of a former witness who recanted his allegations against detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
In a press conference, Hontiveros said her legal team will file criminal complaints against Michael Maurillo, alias Rene, who in a video message claimed that he was paid by the lawmaker to fabricate lies and testify against Quiboloy.
Hontiveros said Maurillo’s sudden recantation was due to harassment and threats.
“Sa mga nasa likod ng video na ito, you have crossed the line. Sobra na kayo. Dahil doon, I have consulted with my legal team, and on Wednesday, we will file a complaint before the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and seek their assistance in investigating the people responsible for this video, and those systematically circulating it in their disinformation networks,” said Hontiveros.
“This is only step one and we will take further decisive action, including the filing of criminal complaints. Para sa mga testigo at biktima, at para sa Senado, maniningil kami ng hustisya,” she added.
(For the witnesses and victims, and for the Senate, we will demand justice.)
Hontiveros also bared an exchange of messages between Maurillo and her staff regarding financial assistance in February 2024, before he testified during the Senate inquiry into the alleged criminal activities within the KOJC involving Quiboloy.
In the message, Maurillo asked Hontiveros’ staff if they provided financial assistance, to which the other person responded in the negative.
Hontiveros’ staff said they do not provide financial assistance to potential witnesses, as they only accept testimonies offered freely and willingly.
Maurillo was, however, given the assurance that Hontiveros’ office would link him to organizations that help human trafficking victims like him.
He provided Hontiveros with his testimonies against Quiboloy and the KOJC in December 2023.
This included the physical abuses he allegedly suffered at Quiboloy's hands and his claim that he saw former President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte leaving the Glory Kingdom with bags of firearms.
Hontiveros said days before Maurillo’s recantation video surfaced, he texted her staff asking for “rescue,” claiming he had been kidnapped and was being harassed inside the KOJC’s Glory Mountain in Barangay Tamayong, Calinan, Davao.
“This is the real pattern here: After testifying in the Senate, witnesses are harassed and threatened, and then, suddenly, flipped. So, let’s call this what it is -- witness tampering, fake news, psychological warfare,” Hontiveros said.
Quiboloy is currently detained at the Pasig City jail along with five KOJC officials over charges of qualified human trafficking and child and sexual abuse filed by some former members of the organization.
He was arrested following a 16-day intense manhunt operation inside the KOJC compound in Davao City on September 8.
The alleged illegal activities committed within KOJC—particularly by Quiboloy and his close followers—were investigated by the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality led by Hontiveros.
Several women who were allegedly sexually abused by Quiboloy shared their terrifying experiences at the hands of the sect leaders during the probe.
Quiboloy is also facing similar charges in the United States. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)