By Wilnard Bacelonia
MANILA – Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday welcomed the issuance of a warrant of arrest against Michael Maurillo, also known as “Alyas Rene,” calling it a significant development in efforts to uphold accountability amid controversies linked to the Senate’s investigation into Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy.
The warrant, issued by the Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 111 on Feb. 9, stemmed from a criminal case for cyber libel under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 in relation to Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code.
Hontiveros said the development affirms findings by prosecutors that Maurillo’s allegations against her office and the Senate were false.
“Very good development po. Wini-welcome ko po yung balitang yan na may in-issue ng arrest warrant kay Michael Maurillo kaugnay ng criminal case na inihain sa kanya dahil sa kanyang pagsisinungaling tungkol sa aming imbestigasyon (This is a very good development. I welcome the news that an arrest warrant has been issued against Michael Maurillo in connection with the criminal case filed against him for lying about our investigation),” she said.
Hontiveros maintained that Maurillo voluntarily approached her office during the Senate inquiry on Quiboloy and was neither coerced nor paid to provide information.
“Siya talaga yung lumapit sa office ko at hinding hindi siya pinilit o binayaran para sabihin yung kanyang nalalaman tungkol kay Apollo Quiboloy (He was the one who approached my office, and he was never forced or paid to disclose what he knew about Apollo Quiboloy),” she said.
The senator said the issuance of the warrant signals that authorities found sufficient basis to proceed with the case.
She also called on Maurillo to cooperate with investigators and disclose what she described as “bigger fish” allegedly behind Quiboloy’s operations.
“Baka ito na yung pagkakataon na finally mag-cooperate siya ulit sa mga awtoridad at ituro yung bigger fish (Perhaps this is now the opportunity for him to finally cooperate with authorities again and point to the bigger fish),” she said.
Hontiveros added that her office continues to study possible legal action against individuals spreading false information about her on social media, expressing confidence that facts will prevail.
The case against Maurillo marks one of the first court actions linked to disputes arising from testimonies and claims surrounding the Senate’s probe into Quiboloy and related allegations. (PNA)
