THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a cyberlibel case against Senate witness Michael Maurilio before the Pasay City Regional Trial Court.
Justice Department officials stated that prosecutors found probable cause to indict Maurilio for cyberlibel and recommended the filing of criminal information in late January. The case is bailable, and the information has already been filed in court.
Authorities clarified that the cyberlibel case against Maurilio is separate from other complaints arising from the same set of events and involves his alleged statements made in a viral recantation video circulated online. Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon stated that the DOJ recommended charging Maurilio with cyberlibel in connection with the case filed by Senator Risa Hontiveros.
The case stems from Maurilio’s public recantation of his earlier testimony before the Senate on allegations of human trafficking, sexual abuse, and exploitation involving detained preacher Apollo Quiboloy and the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC). In the video, Maurilio accused Senator Risa Hontiveros and her office of allegedly coaching and bribing him to testify.
Background: The DOJ previously dismissed a separate cyberlibel complaint filed by Hontiveros against lawyer Ferdinand Topacio and several individuals over online commentaries related to Maurilio’s recantation, citing a lack of probable cause and failure to establish actual malice.
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