Senator Risa Hontiveros said the person identifying himself as Michael Maurillo – who recently claimed in a YouTube video that he was paid by the Senator to testify against former President Rodrigo Duterte, VP Sara Duterte and Pastor Apollo Quiboloy – was lying.

Murillo was one of the witnesses against Quiboloy during the Senate inquiry chaired by Hontiveros.

“Kasinungalingan ang mga alegasyon ngayon mula sa nagpakilalang dating testigo sa pagdinig ng Senado ukol sa mga krimen ni Pastor Apollo Quiboloy,” said the Senator.

“Sangkaterba ang ebidensiya ng aking opisina na magpapatunay na gawa-gawa lang ang pahayag ngayon ng taong iyan. All witnesses presented during the Quiboloy Senate hearings freely and voluntarily offered their testimonies and the evidence they carried.”

 Hontiveros said other than Murillo’s testimony, her office had enough evidence against Quiboloy to merit his arrest.

“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,” said the Senator.

“We have reason to believe that this individual has been coerced or paid off to derail the ongoing criminal proceedings against Quiboloy, and disturbingly, threaten my staff and the witnesses who spoke out against Quiboloy’s heinous crimes. Ganyan sila kadesperado.”

Hontiveros said her office was taking appropriate action against Murillo whose recent allegtions are meant to besmirch her and her office and subsequently halt the ongoing criminal proceedings against Quiboloy.

“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,” said the Senator.