Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros is once again in the spotlight after former Congressman Jacinto Paras and lawyers Ferdinand Topacio and Manuelito Luna filed an ethics complaint accusing her of witness tampering. The complaint, lodged Thursday, cited several incidents involving Senate witnesses, including claims that the senator bribed or influenced testimonies against Apollo Quiboloy, former president Rodrigo Duterte, and Pharmally executives. It also mentioned her alleged role in hiding child witnesses in the 2017 Kian delos Santos case.
In their filing, the complainants argued that Hontiveros’ actions constituted “disorderly behavior” under the 1987 Constitution, stressing that the case strikes at the Senate’s integrity. Topacio alleged that the senator had been “getting away with so much for so long,” while Paras said, “Accountability works both ways. Kung parating sinasabi ni Sen. Risa Hontiveros na dapat accountable ang iba, dapat siya rin ay maging accountable sa mga allegations na ito.”
Hontiveros, however, dismissed the accusations as baseless harassment. “Recycled lies, harassment. Ano pa nga ba? Ako naman ay buong loob kong haharapin yung complaint nila once na mabasa ko,” she said. She emphasized that her office keeps complete documentation of whistleblowers and witnesses who participated in Senate inquiries. “Kumpleto rin po kami ng resibo… kaya panatag ako na buong-buo kong mahaharap ang anumang detalye ng complaint nila,” she added.
The senator expressed concern that political drama was being used to distract from urgent legislative work but assured that she would not be deterred. “Bothered in the sense na ang dami-daming namin trabaho… pero sige lang, di po kami magpapa-distract dyan,” she said.
The ethics complaint is expected to be referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics once the panel is constituted. Hontiveros maintained she trusts the process regardless of who will chair the committee, even amid talk that Sen. Robin Padilla, an ally of Topacio’s PDP Laban, could head the panel.
Under Senate rules, the Ethics Committee has jurisdiction over the conduct, integrity, and privileges of senators. If found guilty of disorderly behavior, a senator may be suspended or even expelled with the concurrence of two-thirds of the chamber.
