MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros announced Tuesday that she is expanding her formal complaint to include vloggers and online personalities allegedly involved in the coordinated dissemination of fake news and malicious attacks related to the case against controversial Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy.

In a statement ahead of the filing, Hontiveros revealed that, in addition to the original video featuring former Senate witness Michael Maurilio (alias “Rene”), her complaint to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will now name specific individuals for potential cyber-libel charges.

“Kasama din sa reklamo natin yung mga vlogger/blogger na sistematikong nagpakalat at dumagdag sa mga kasinungalingan—tungkol sa witnesses, tungkol sa aking staff, at tungkol sa Senado mismo,” she said.

Among those identified were Krizette Chu, Tio Moreno, Trixie Cruz-Angeles, Rob Rances, Jay Sonza, Sass Rogando Sasot, Joie Cruz, and Eric Celiz.

“Bilang public official, bukas ako sa lehitimong kritisismo,” Hontiveros noted. “Pero hindi ako papayag sa panghaharass at mapanganib na kasinungalingan.”

Her legal team considers cyber-libel the most appropriate charge for now, but warned that further legal steps may follow as the investigation unfolds.

“Simula pa lang ito, step one pa lang,” Hontiveros said. “Aabangan natin ang resulta ng imbestigasyon—kung ano pa ang dapat ikaso, at sino pa ang dapat kasuhan.”

She also urged the NBI to identify the masterminds behind what she called a deliberate disinformation campaign—one she believes may be linked to the last alarming text message her office received from Maurilio. He reportedly claimed to have been kidnapped and taken to a KOJC-controlled site referred to as “Glory Mountain.”

Central to her complaint is a YouTube channel named “Pagtanggol Valiente,” which posted two viral videos featuring Maurilio. The channel was reportedly created only on June 24 and is being flagged by her team as part of the alleged disinformation network.

“Lumalabas na itong obvious na fake news channel na ito—na kagagawa lang nitong June 24—ang unang nagpakalat ng video ni Michael,” Hontiveros said.

The senator had earlier described the video as a clear act of witness tampering and said it endangered whistleblowers and Senate personnel. She pledged additional legal action as the case develops.

“Make no mistake: This isn’t just an attack on my office,” she stressed. “This is an attack on truth-telling. Kaya hindi natin hahayaan na takutin nila ang mga witnesses, at sindakin nila ang Senado. Kaya, sa mga nasa likod ng video na ito: You have crossed the line. Sobra na kayo.”

The video’s spread follows a wave of harassment and threats against Senate witnesses and staff after a public hearing involving Quiboloy, who faces allegations ranging from sexual abuse to human trafficking.

📷 Office of Sen. Risa Hontiveros