FACT CHECK: No SC ruling, arrest warrant for Hontiveros

Claim: Senator Risa Hontiveros has been arrested by order of the court.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: Two YouTube videos bearing the claim were uploaded on February 7.

The first video was uploaded by PINAS BALITA TV and titled, “Nakarma na! Hontiveros wala nang takas! Korte Suprema sinampolan na si Risa, sinupalpal ng katotohanan?”

(It’s over! Hontiveros has no escape! The Supreme Court made an example of Risa, confronted by the truth?)

Its thumbnail shows a photo of Supreme Court Justice Marvic Leonen holding what appears to be a court decision, along with photos of Hontiveros and other political figures. 

The second video was uploaded by the channel “News Update Files” and is titled, “Traydoran na! Risa Hontiveros kulong na! Nilaglag ni Tito Sotto! Hinatulan na, kriminal pala?”

(Betrayal! Risa Hontiveros jailed! Exposed by Tito Sotto! Convicted as a criminal?) 

This video prominently features a thumbnail with the text: “Kriminal si Hontiveros! Risa Hontiveros hinatulan na!” (Hontiveros is a criminal! Risa Hontiveros has been convicted!) It also shows an image of Senate President Tito Sotto holding a purported arrest warrant for Hontiveros. 

As of writing, both videos have garnered over 55,000 views and 4,700 likes.

The facts: Hontiveros has not been arrested, jailed, or convicted of any crime. No Supreme Court ruling against her exists, and no arrest warrant has been issued, contrary to the claim. She continues to serve as a senator.

The misleading claim appears to stem from a February 5 Department of Justice (DOJ) resolution that was falsely presented as a conviction against her. 

In a resolution dated December 22, 2025, the DOJ dismissed a cyberlibel complaint Hontiveros filed against social media personalities Banat By and six others. The complaint stemmed from the respondents’ online videos and commentaries that allegedly amplified claims that the senator bribed a Senate witness for testimony against Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy. 

Prosecutors ruled there was insufficient evidence to indict the respondents, noting that their statements, while offensive, weren’t actionable by themselves.

The misleading video from “News Update Files” deliberately distorts the DOJ decision by suggesting that Hontiveros is facing arrest, rather than simply a dismissal of her complaint.

The first video, meanwhile, uses clickbait language and sensational content, tagging Hontiveros in its thumbnail while not discussing her alleged arrest. Instead, it discusses talks of “power sharing” in the Senate, which was fueled by a photo posted by Senator Kiko Pangilinan with the majority bloc and Senator Loren Legarda. While Hontiveros appeared in the photo, the issue centered on Legarda’s potential leadership bid, not on any criminal charges against Hontiveros.

Fake claims: Rappler has fact-checked multiple claims about Hontiveros, most of which relied on clickbait titles and sensationalized content. 

• FACT CHECK: Hontiveros, Romualdez not removed from office
• FACT CHECK: Hontiveros did not praise Vice Ganda’s viral ‘jet ski holiday’ joke about Duterte
• FACT CHECK: Hontiveros, Castro statements on Occidental Mindoro clash are fake
• FACT CHECK: Quote card of Hontiveros declaring presidential bid is fake
• FACT CHECK: Senators Aquino, Pangilinan, Hontiveros have passed laws, contrary to claim 

– Cyril Bocar/Rappler.com

Efren Cyril Bocar is a journalist from Llorente, Eastern Samar who graduated with a degree in English Language Studies at the Visayas State University. Cyril is also a graduate of the Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship of Rappler for 2024. 

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