Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian said a witness who previously testified against doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy—but has since contradicted his earlier claims—should be charged with perjury.
Michael Maurilio, known only by the alias “Rene” during the 2024 Senate probe, faced the inquiry after swearing to tell the truth, said Gatchalian.
He was given the opportunity to speak out, with the desire to obtain justice, reported RH 28 Raymund Dadpaas. Now, he is testifying to the contrary, apparently having lied to officials and his countrymen.
“This person swore an oath to tell the truth before the Senate. He was given a chance to speak freely in the name of justice and truth. But now, he is saying that he lied to the Senate and to the people,” Gatchalian lamented.
“This is a slap in the face of the Senate as an institution. This person should be charged with perjury and lying under oath before this institution,” he added.
A video of Maurilio has been circulating online wherein he claims Senator Risa Hontiveros paid him ₱1 million to implicate Quiboloy in allegedly sexually abusing and forcing even the young children of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) members to beg in public places to support the pastor’s opulent lifestyle.
Hontiveros, who led the Senate investigation on Quiboloy and the KOJC, slammed the claim as “lies,” adding that Maurilio came to her voluntarily and that her office possesses documentation proving it.
“Lahat ng iyan ay may paper trail and readily corroborated by multiple agencies and officials. Handa rin kami na ilabas ang iba't-ibang screenshot at video sa tamang panahon,” she said.
(All that has a paper trail and can be readily corroborated by multiple agencies and officials. We are also ready to reveal various screenshots and videos at the right time.)
Maurilio may have been coerced or paid off by “desperate” people to recant his testimony, Hontiveros speculated.
“Ganyan sila kadesperado (That’s how desperate they are). We are preparing our serious legal response against this act of harassment and intimidation. Hindi namin palalampasin ang mga nasa likod ng pananakot na ito (We will not let the people behind this threat go unpunished),” she declared.
She will be holding a news conference on Monday to personally address the accusation.
