Manila, July 9 -- Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday filed cyber libel charges before the Department of Justice against seven individuals in connection with a viral video accusing her of allegedly coercing a witness to give false testimonies.

Named as respondents are lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, Byron Cristobal alias Banat By, Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz, Krizette "Kiffy" Chu, Jose "Jay" Sonza, and Alex Destor alias Tio Moreno.

Also named in the complaint is former Senate witness Michael Maurilio, who claimed in the viral video that Hontiveros bribed him to testify against former president Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Sara Duterte, and Pastor Apollo Quiboloy during a Senate hearing presided by the senator.

Hontiveros denied the allegatio...