MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros denounced as false and fabricated the recent allegations made by an individual claiming to be a former witness in the Senate hearings on the alleged crimes of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

In a statement, Hontiveros said her office has substantial evidence disproving the person’s new claims, asserting that all testimonies presented during the Senate investigation were made freely and voluntarily by the witnesses.

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

She also noted that these testimonies are backed by a paper trail and corroborated by multiple government agencies and officials. Hontiveros added that her office is ready to release screenshots and video evidence at the appropriate time to further disprove the claims.

The senator raised concerns that the former witness may have been coerced or bribed in an attempt to disrupt ongoing legal proceedings against Quiboloy and to intimidate her staff and witnesses.

“Ganyan sila kadesperado,” she said, referring to those allegedly behind the effort to silence the Senate’s inquiry.

Hontiveros warned that her office is preparing a serious legal response to what she called an act of harassment and intimidation.

“Hindi namin palalampasin ang mga nasa likod ng pananakot na ito,” she said.