DOJ orders filing of cyber libel case vs Topacio, 5 others over Hontiveros complaint

TOPACIO. In this file photo, former lawmaker Mike Defensor, along with lawyer Ferdinand Topacio answers questions from the media after a subpoena was issued against him in relation to the allegations of the 18 purported former marines, at the National Bureau of Investigation on March 12, 2026.

Rappler

The charge stems from Senator Risa Hontiveros' complaint against personalities who amplified the allegations of former Senate witness Michael Murillo against her

AT A GLANCE

• The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the filing of a cyber libel case against several pro-Duterte figures, including lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, based on a complaint from Senator Risa Hontiveros.
• The complaint arose from Senate hearings related to allegations against Apollo Quiboloy, where a witness claimed to have been pressured to recant testimony against Quiboloy and others.
• The DOJ found sufficient evidence of cyber libel in the accusations made against Hontiveros, reversing previous resolutions that dismissed the case against the six individuals.

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MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the filing of a cyber libel case against several pro-Duterte personalities, including lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, over a complaint filed by Senator Risa Hontiveros.

“The Office of the Secretary of Justice-Prosecution Staff is hereby directed to FILE an Information for Cyberlibel under Article 355 of the RPC in relation to Section 4(c)(4) of RA No. 10175 against Respondent-Appellees Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Byron Cristobal aka ‘Banat By,’ Jeffrey Celiz aka ‘Ka Eric,’ Krizette Chu aka ‘Kiffy,’ Jose Sonza aka ‘Jay Sonza,’ and Alex Destor aka ‘Tio Moreno’,” said the DOJ resolution made public on Tuesday, November 10.

The complaint stemmed from the Senate’s hearings on the reported crimes of Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder and doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy (Quiboloy). Hontiveros presented as a witness Michael Maurillo, a supposed KOJC full-time worker who allegedly suffered abuse and exploitation under Quiboloy.

Maurillo had sought Hontiveros’ help in rescuing him, “after he claimed that he was kidnapped following his earlier claim that he was being pressured by Quiboloy’s camp to recant his testimony.”

On June 24, 2025, a video was uploaded on YouTube where Maurillo alleged that he was induced by Hontiveros to give fabricated testimony against Quiboloy, former president Rodrigo Duterte, and Vice President Sara Duterte in exchange for P1 million, and even more money to implicate senators Bong Go and Bato dela Rosa.

In July of the same year, Hontiveros filed a cyber libel complaint against Maurillo as well as the six personalities who posted content echoing Maurillo’s claims — Topacio, Celiz, and the four vloggers.

While the DOJ indicted Maurillo in December 2025, DOJ prosecutors dismissed Hontiveros complaint against the six other personalities, citing lack of evidence. She filed a motion for reconsideration, but was denied in a resolution dated March 16, 2026.

This pushed Hontiveros to file a petition for review before the DOJ, which was granted.

“Wherefore, premises considered, the instant Petition for Review is hereby granted. The assailed Resolutions of the Office of the Secretary of Justice-Prosecution Staff dated 22 December 2025 and 16 March 2026 are reversed and set aside,” said the DOJ resolution.

The DOJ said it found the elements of cyber libel present in the allegations.

It explained that the respondents’ accusations were not presented as mere suspicions or opinions, but rather as statements “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 additional assertion that she had a ‘pattern’ of paying witnesses in exchange for favorable testimony further transforms the accusation into a claim of an established course of wrongful and criminally punishable conduct,” the DOJ added.

In a statement following the release of the DOJ resolution, Hontiveros said: “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.” – Rappler.com