MANILA — Malacañang has expressed support for Vice President Sara Duterte’s call urging former Senate witness Michael Maurillo, also known as alias “Rene,” to formally file a case following his retraction of testimony involving the Duterte family and Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
According to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro, filing a case would be a more productive step, especially after Maurillo claimed he was influenced into testifying against the Dutertes and Quiboloy.
“It would be best if he files a case,” Castro said. “Through a legal proceeding, there will be a proper trial and cross-examination. Only then can we truly determine whether his claims about so-called fake witnesses are credible or not.”
Maurillo previously testified during a Senate inquiry, alleging that he saw members of the Duterte family transporting firearms from a property owned by Quiboloy. However, he later recanted his statement, saying he was allegedly manipulated into giving false testimony.
His sudden reversal has drawn mixed reactions, with VP Sara urging him to seek legal remedy rather than airing accusations publicly. The Palace now echoes that stance, highlighting the importance of due process in clarifying such serious allegations.
The case underscores the growing scrutiny over the use of witnesses in Senate hearings and the reliability of testimonies under oath.
