DOJ seeks cyberlibel charges vs Topacio, 5 others

MANILA, Philippines — Cyberlibel charges have been recommended against lawyer Ferdinand Topacio and five other social media personalities following a Department of Justice resolution granting the review of a complaint filed by Sen. Risa Hontiveros that was dismissed in December 2025.

Though Hontiveros must tolerate criticism as a public official, the respondents “crossed the line separating protected criticism and opinion from the public and malicious imputation of specific, discreditable acts,” the resolution said.

Hontiveros welcomed the indictment of Topacio, Byron “Banat By” Cristobal, Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz, Jose “Jay” Sonza, Krizette “Kiffy” Chu and Alex “Tio Moreno” Destor.

“Sinabi natin dati pa: hindi dapat palampasin ang mapanganib na kasinungalingan laban sa mga tumestigong biktima ng pang-aabuso ni Apollo Quiboloy,” the senator said.

(“We’ve said it before: lies directed at the victims who testified to the abuse committed by Apollo Quiboloy must not go unaddressed.”)

Hontiveros' complaint, filed in July 2025, stemmed from social media posts published by the personalities that accused her of bribing and coaching witnesses during the Senate investigation into sex trafficking allegations against Quiboloy.

The posts also alleged that Hontiveros launched “organized propaganda efforts” to discredit various public officials, including Vice President Sara Duterte and former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Hontiveros filed a similar complaint against Michael Maurillo, a former Kingdom of Jesus Christ member who claimed he was coerced by Hontiveros to give false testimony against Quiboloy and the Dutertes.

Murillo was indicted early 2026, with an arrest warrant issued against him by the Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 111 in February.

Quiboloy, meanwhile, is detained at the Pasig City Jail for sexual abuse charges and qualified human trafficking. The DOJ is preparing to file a court petition to extradite the church leader as he also faces child sex trafficking and fraud charges in the US.

Criminal and libel complaints were filed by his camp against Hontiveros, Rep. Leila de Lima (Mamamayang Liberal) and Rep. Perci Cendaña (Akbayan) in September, over statements referring to him as a “sex offender."