Only a few hours following the explosive Senate investigation into the alleged sexual abuse cases and other criminal activities of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, SMNI, a notorious pro-Duterte media network, and online trolls have started doxxing and trying to viral defamatory and salacious claims against the cult leader’s accusers.
The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality has launched an investigation into the alleged abuses attributed to Quiboloy, a close friend and political ally of Duterte. Despite being issued a subpoena on Tuesday, January 23, the leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) was notably absent during the inquiry.
Despite receiving an order from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to cease operations, Sunshine Media Network International (SMNI), purportedly still under the technical ownership of Quiboloy, has actively engaged in defending the alleged cult leader across all its platforms, notably X (formerly Twitter).
Most of SMNI’s posts on X were defensive of Quiboloy, the latest being screenshots of netizens purportedly “cry[ing]” justice for their religious leader.
“Netizens cry #JusticeforPastorACQ after bogus witnesses hurl malicious and baseless accusations, in a recent committee hearing of Senator @risahontiveros,” read SMNI’s latest post, lacking evidence to support the claim that the witnesses presented during the Senate investigation were indeed false.
Another post on X also states: “Buong tapang na sinagot ni Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy ang mga akusasyon sa Senate hearing ni Senador Risa Hontiveros at tinawag na bogus ang mga witness na kinuha nito laban sa kaniya.”
In one of SMNI’s posts, Quiboloy is depicted challenging Senator Risa Hontiveros, the panel chair, and her “bogus witnesses” to substantiate their allegations against him in court.
Additionally, an SMNI post asserted that members of KOJC uncovered the true identity of the “alleged witness” against their religious leader.
This is unsurprising, as numerous posts by troll accounts and other unverified accounts on X have attempted to dox the identity of one of the witnesses concealed under the alias “Amanda.”
One of these pro-Quiboloy troll accounts that never posted an X but only replied to existing posts is KGworldwide (@mklg100).
KGworldwide, which was recently reactivated, responded to a Rappler post, saying in reaction to Hontiveros: “I find this woman not a senator anymore. She could just simply help those ‘victims’ file cases in court if their allegations are real. So simple.”
This troll account also doxxed the identity of the Senate witness, claiming to be his “classmate” and that the latter is “not innocent.”
KGworldwide then posted supposed photos of “Amanda” saying, “She cannot lie because we know her since she’s our classmate. I find her so pathetic. Idk why she’s doing this.”
One of the alleged photos of “Amanda” shows three half-naked women with the woman in the center to be the witness herself.
KGworldwide’s reply alone was reposted 39 times as of this posting, with most of those retweeting it appearing to be pro-Duterte and pro-Quiboloy.
One of those who reposted the reply-tweet was a netizen named Hans Marcon (@politicalsalot), saying, “Apparently, some users are reporting that “Alias Amanda” (the woman who claimed to have been s*xually assaulted by Quiboloy), is not who she claims to be.”
An X user, Aria The Unbreakable (@AriaNoelleSy), joined the conversation claiming the senate witness’s “ credibility & authenticity” is “highly questionable.”
Aria The Unbreakable appeared to have stalked the “Amanda” online and based her judgment on the latter’s Facebook posts way back 2013.
“Look at her account in 2013, she’s a happy girl, not traumatized,” she said.
Another X user with the name Jack Diamond Julian also doxxed the witness posting her supposed real name on the platform and her photos.
“Susmaryusep, itong witness mo pala ay si [name redacted] a.k.a Amanda parang nakita na ito sa mga porn sites…wahahaha, as usual palpacase-shows na naman itong senate inquiry mo Madam…parang Bikoy Scandal lang ang dating,” Jack Diamond Julian posted, in his attempt to slut-shame the alleged rape victim.
A verified user named MAGnet urged netizens to take Hontiveros’s “evidence” with a “grain of salt” based on what he’s seen so far online, as he retweeted Jack Diamond Julian’s post.
“You’re becoming more consistent in presenting evidences. Your credibility is once again on the line. You know, destroying a person’s life is a serious matter,” MAGnet posted.
Another netizen and Quiboloy supporter also called the witness “pokpok” along with a screenshot of the story of a supposed classmate of the witness.
Another X post of Aria the Unbreakable shows a screenshot of “Amanda’s” Facebook profile photo and account, along with a photo if a minor child, doxxing the witness.
Doxxing, which involves the unauthorized and malicious disclosure of private or personal information about individuals online, is generally considered illegal in the Philippines.
It violates privacy laws and can lead to criminal and civil liabilities. The Data Privacy Act of 2012 in the Philippines safeguards the personal information of individuals and imposes penalties for unauthorized processing or disclosure of sensitive personal information.
Republic Act No. 10175, known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, criminalizes certain cyber offenses, and doxxing may fall under the provisions related to unauthorized access to or interference in computer systems. Perpetrators of doxxing may face legal consequences, including imprisonment and fines, depending on the severity of the offense.
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, the panel chair, emphasized that no one, not even Quiboloy, is exempt from the laws of the State: “Kahit ang Korte Suprema ay walang kapangyarihang pigilan ang ganitong inquiries ng Senado, at ang pag-require sa mga taong humarap dito (Even the Supreme Court has no power to stop Senate inquiries, and require individuals to appear).”
Hontiveros condemned Quiboloy’s absence as a lack of respect for the Senate, clarifying that the investigation is not religious persecution but an inquiry into the alleged manipulation of beliefs for abusive practices.
“This is an inquiry into using belief or faith of others to commit abuses and damages to people who were fooled, weakened, and abused,” she stated. The committee extended two invitations to Quiboloy, both unanswered.
The Daily Netizen 