Pasay city: 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.

According to Philippines News Agency, Hontiveros said the development affirms findings by prosecutors that Maurillo's allegations against her office and the Senate were false. She expressed her approval of the warrant, emphasizing the importance of holding individuals accountable for spreading misinformation related to the Senate's investigation. Hontiveros maintained that Maurillo voluntarily approached her office during the Senate inquiry on Quiboloy and was neither coerced nor paid to provide information.

The senator highlighted that the issuance of the warrant indicates that authorities found sufficient basis to proceed with the case. She urged Maurillo to cooperate with investigators and disclose what she described as 'bigger fish' allegedly behind Quiboloy's operations, suggesting that this could be an opportunity for him to provide further cooperation with authorities.

Hontiveros added that her office continues to study possible legal action against individuals spreading false information about her on social media. She expressed confidence that facts will prevail amid the ongoing investigations. 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.