Hours after Gerald Santos’ revelation during a Senate hearing that he was raped by a former GMA musical director when he was 15, GMA Network issued a statement clarifying the network’s actions in response to his 2010 complaint and addressing discrepancies in his recent testimony.
On August 19, Santos disclosed for the first time in 19 years that he was sexually assaulted by an unnamed musical director from GMA. He claimed that his previous attempts to report the abuse were dismissed by influential figures and that he faced threats to his career and safety.
In a formal response, GMA Network affirmed its commitment to addressing abuse and clarified the actions taken following Santos’ 2010 complaint. The network stated that an immediate investigation was conducted, resulting in the termination of the accused musical director’s contract.
“Naninindigan ang GMA Network laban sa lahat ng uri ng pang-aabuso. Hindi kinukunsinti ng GMA ang anumang uri ng pang-aabuso sa mga artista, personalidad, empleyado, independent contractors, at iba pang stakeholders nito,” the statement read, emphasizing the network’s stance against abuse.
The network highlighted that Santos’ recent allegations differed from the content of his formal complaint submitted in 2010. “Ngunit ang nilalaman ng formal complaint na inihain ni Gerald noong 2010 ay naiiba sa akusasyon niya ng rape na binanggit niya sa Senado. Ngayon lang din nakarating sa kaalaman ng pamunuan ng GMA ang bagay na ito,” the statement noted.
GMA Network also addressed Santos’ claim of being removed from the network, stating that he had requested an early termination of his management contract, which was granted. “Nais ding linawin ng GMA ang naging pahayag ni Gerald na natanggal siya sa Network. Siya mismo ang humiling ng early release mula sa kanyang management contract noong 2010, na pinagbigyan ng GMA,” the network explained. “Sa parehong taon ay agad din siyang lumabas sa ibang TV network. Dagdag pa rito, sumubok ding bumalik si Gerald sa GMA matapos ang kanyang kontrata sa TV5 noong 2013.”
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As of this reporting, Gerald Santos has not yet responded to GMA Network’s statement.
