(UPDATE) THE main witness in the vote-buying complaint against former Quezon City 4th District representative Bong Suntay has made a dramatic turnaround, accusing a lawyer aligned with incumbent Rep. Marvin Rillo of scripting testimony and threatening his life to implicate Suntay.

Kevin Roissing, also known as "Angel" or "Ms. Abba," came forward to disavow his earlier statements presented by lawyer Jesus Falcis, claiming he was coerced into falsely accusing Suntay in connection with the alleged "Ako at Walo" vote-buying scheme.

The scheme, which allegedly operated like a pyramid scheme, reportedly involved supporters recruiting eight voters each in exchange for P500 to P1,000 payouts on various dates, including as recently as April 2.

The allegations were initially made public in a press conference held on April 8 at the Kamuning Bakery Café by witnesses carrying placards denouncing vote-buying.

However, Roissing — a self-confessed political host and former social media handler for Representative Rillo — claimed he was forced into hiding, given a script, and offered P50,000 and even a sex reassignment surgery as part of an orchestrated effort to discredit Suntay.

"They told me to say things against Suntay, even if they weren't true," Roissing said in a video statement. "I didn't write the affidavit. I didn't want to speak at that press conference. I was told there was an assassin outside waiting for me. I was terrified."

According to Roissing, Falcis and other members of Rillo's camp, including individuals named Michaelangelo and a village official known as "Kagawad Poleng," masterminded the plan to frame Suntay with fabricated evidence and testimonies.

He said he was billeted in Go Hotel along Tomas Morato under the guise of protection but "felt more like a captive."

"I was given money, scripts and told to memorize lies. When I couldn't get the script right, they edited the video and made it viral. I was scared for my life — and for my sister's," he added, referring to his sibling, Marissa Roissing.

Roissing accused Falcis of threatening him when he hesitated to go along with the plan. He also called for Falcis to be disbarred, claiming the lawyer used him as a pawn in a political war.

In response to these revelations, Spocky Farolan, representing Roissing and his family, said a sworn statement and a USB containing crucial video evidence had already been submitted to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Police Station 10.

"The safety of Kevin and his family is our immediate priority. Politics must take a backseat," Farolan said. "We have filed official blotters and submitted all necessary evidence to authorities."

The disqualification case against Suntay — anchored on alleged vote-buying under the "Ako at Walo" scheme — now faces serious credibility issues, as Roissing insists he was used to fabricate the case against the former congressman.

Falcis has yet to respond to the allegations. He previously cited Supreme Court jurisprudence on the necessity of credible witness testimony in vote-buying cases, underscoring that without such testimony, a complaint cannot prosper.

The complaint remains pending before the Comelec Law Department.