Court orders arrest of ex-Senate witnessSen. Risa Hontiveros along with her lawyers filing a complaint at the Department of Justice on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, against former Senate witness Michael Maurillo and six other vloggers. MANILA, Philippines — A Pasay City court has ordered the arrest of a former Senate witness who accused Sen. Risa Hontiveros of coercing and bribing him with P1 million to testify against detained religious leader Apollo Quiboloy. Judge Marita Iris Laqui-Genilo of the Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 111 issued a warrant for the arrest of Michael Maurillo on charges of cyberlibel. Last month, the Department of Justice lodged the case against Maurillo before the Pasay court. As early as 2024, according to Hontiveros, Maurillo was being asked to recant his testimony to “shame” her.

Source: Philippine Star February 12, 2026 23:30 UTC