Philippine DOJ revives Hontiveros cyber libel case against six people

The Philippine Department of Justice ordered prosecutors in a resolution made public Tuesday, Nov. 10, to file a cyber libel case against lawyer Ferdinand Topacio and five other people.

The order matters because it reverses two DOJ prosecution staff resolutions dated Dec. 22, 2025, and March 16, 2026, that had dismissed Senator Risa Hontiveros’ complaint, according to a Rappler news report published Nov. 10, 2026.

“The Office of the Secretary of Justice-Prosecution Staff is hereby directed to FILE an Information for Cyberlibel,” the DOJ resolution said, referring to the criminal charging document prosecutors file in court.

The resolution named Topacio, Byron Cristobal, also known as “Banat By”; Jeffrey Celiz, also known as “Ka Eric”; Krizette Chu, also known as “Kiffy”; Jose Sonza, also known as “Jay Sonza”; and Alex Destor, also known as “Tio Moreno.”

The case grew from Senate hearings on allegations involving Apollo Quiboloy, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Hontiveros had presented Michael Maurillo, described in the report as a supposed full-time worker of the group who alleged abuse and exploitation under Quiboloy.

Rappler reported that Maurillo had sought Hontiveros’ help after saying he was kidnapped following pressure from Quiboloy’s camp to withdraw earlier testimony. On June 24, 2025, a YouTube video carried Maurillo’s allegation that Hontiveros induced him to give fabricated testimony against Quiboloy, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte for 1 million pesos, with more money to implicate senators Bong Go and Bato dela Rosa.

Hontiveros filed a cyber libel complaint in July 2025 against Maurillo and the six respondents who posted content repeating Maurillo’s allegations, according to the report. The DOJ indicted Maurillo in December 2025, while prosecutors initially dismissed the complaint against the six for lack of evidence and later denied Hontiveros’ motion for reconsideration.

The DOJ granted Hontiveros’ petition for review and set aside the earlier resolutions. “Wherefore, premises considered, the instant Petition for Review is hereby granted,” the DOJ resolution said.

The department said it found the elements of cyber libel in the accusations against Hontiveros. It said the posts did not merely present suspicion or opinion, but assertions “stating that she had in fact bribed or coached witnesses, fabricated testimony and evidence, manipulated affidavits, orchestrated witnesses to falsely implicate other persons, and participated in organized political schemes against her perceived opponents.”

The bribery and coaching claims remain allegations by Maurillo and were assessed by the DOJ in deciding whether to pursue cyber libel charges against those who circulated them. The report did not include comments from the six respondents.

Hontiveros welcomed the resolution. “We welcome the latest resolution of the Department of Justice which recommended the criminal indictment of 6 persons — Atty Ferdinand Topacio, Banat By, Jeffrey Celiz, Jay Sonza, Krizette Chu and Tio Moreno. This follows the earlier indictment of Michael Maurillo,” she said.

Source: news report, Rappler, Nov. 10, 2026