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Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday filed a cyberlibel complaint with the National Bureau of Investigation against the man who claimed he was influenced by the lawmaker to testify against former President Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Sara Duterte, and detained pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

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The named respondents are Michael Maurilio or alias Rene and the Pagtanggol Valiente social media account, which posted the video.

“Pangunahing layunin ng reklamo alamin kung sino-sino ang nasa likod ng pag produce nung video, dalawang video na, ni Michael Maurilio dahil hanggang ngayon wala pa rin umaamin, wala pa ring umaangkin,” she said in an ambush interview.

(The primary objective of the complaint is to identify who is behind the production of the video, there are now two, of Michael Maurilio, because until now, no one has come forward or claimed responsibility.)

The man, who identified himself as Michael Maurilio, claimed that Hontiveros made him speak against the Dutertes and Quiboloy, adding that everything he and other witnesses said in the hearings of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality were fabricated.

Maurilio previously testified in a Senate hearing that Quiboloy hurt him and that he was sexually abused by several KOJC members. He also said he witnessed the Dutertes carrying firearms when visiting Quiboloy.

“Sabihin ko po sa inyo, bilang isang nagtatrabaho sa public service, bukas ako lagi at dapat lang bukas lagi sa mga puna, sa mga kritisismo,” she said.

(I will tell you, as someone working in public service, I am always open and should always be open to feedback and criticism.)

“Pero hinding hindi ako papayag sa ganitong mga pagsisinungaling, mga mapanganib na pagsisinungaling, lalo na’t ang tinarget ay hindi lang ako. Ang tinarget ay ang mga witnesses, ang tinarget pati mga staff ko, tinarget Senado mismo,” she added.

(But I will never allow these kinds of lies, dangerous lies, especially when I wasn’t the only one targeted. The targets include the witnesses, my staff, and even the Senate itself.)

According to the senator, she has no information on the current whereabouts of Maurilio.

She previously said that before the video was released, Maurilio sought for the senator’s help as he was allegedly kidnapped and detained at Glory Mountain in Davao City.

“Nananalangin pa rin ako para sa kanyang kaligtasan. Sana matukoy kaagad ng PNP-Davao kung nasaan siya at mailigtas. Pero gayon pa man kailangan na niya magpaliwanag at managot kung bakit siya nagsisinungaling sa mga video na ito,” she said.

(I still pray for his safety. I hope the PNP-Davao can immediately locate and rescue him. But even so, he still needs to explain and be held accountable why he is lying in these videos.)

Hontiveros said she also asked the NBI to investigate the individuals behind the social media account, noting that it was created on the day after the last messages of Maurilio.

“Dahil baka o malamang konektado ‘yan doon sa cry for help nung earlier last month ni Michael Maurilio,” she said.

(Because it’s possible, or even likely, that this is connected to Michael Maurilio’s cry for help earlier last month.)

Aside from this, she said she asked the NBI to investigate vloggers who are spreading and adding into the “lies” of Maurilio.

She said this included Krizette Chu, former broadcaster Jay Sonza, Sass Sasot, former press secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, and Banat Bay, among others.

“So far isang dosena pero batay nga sa mapag-aalaman ng NBI sa kanilang imbestigasyon, maaaring dumami pa po ‘yun at maaaring dumami pa maliban sa cyberlibel ang i-kaso ko sa kanila,” she said.

(So far there’s a dozen, but based on what the NBI may uncover in their investigation, that number could still increase, and aside from cyber libel, I might file more cases against them.)