Two independent contractors affiliated with GMA Network, Jojo Tawasil Nones and Richard “Dode” Cruz, have strongly denied allegations of sexual harassment made by young actor Sandro Muhlach.
The denial came during a Senate hearing on Monday, August 14, overseen by the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media.
Nones and Cruz appeared before the committee after being subpoenaed, following their absence at the initial hearing on August 10. The two contractors expressed regret for not attending the first session, citing fears of public judgment and concerns about interfering with an ongoing investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
“Inaamin po namin na natakot po kaming ma-subject sa media circus at premature trial,” Nones said in his statement. He explained that they had been advised not to disclose any counter-allegations or evidence publicly while the NBI investigation was still in progress.
During the hearing, Cruz confirmed their involvement as the contractors mentioned in the online posts but categorically denied the accusations of sexual harassment. “Opo, kami po ang independent contractors ng GMA Network na tinutukoy sa mga online post na kumalat noon mga nakaraang araw. Subalit, hindi po kami gumawa ng anumang sexual harassment or abuse laban kay Sandro Muhlach. Sa pagkakataong ito, sa harap ninyong lahat, mariin pong itinatanggi namin ang lahat ng mapanirang akusasyon na ito laban sa amin,” Cruz stated firmly.
He further clarified that they are not GMA Network executives and do not hold any significant power or influence within the organization, countering claims made online. “Kami po ay hindi executives ng GMA Network, tulad ng lumalabas. Taliwas sa sinasabi online, wala po kaming kapangyarihan o impluwensiya sa network, lalung-lalo na sa mga artista nito,” Cruz explained.
Both contractors highlighted their long-standing careers in the television industry, which span over three decades, noting that they have never faced any complaints until now. “Tumagal kami sa telebisyon ng more or less thirty years, at bago ang pangyayaring ito ay malawak ang aming naging kontribusyon sa industriya sa telebisyon sa pamamagitan ng naiambag naming mga award-winning at top-rating television shows and teleseryes,” Cruz emphasized.
Mariing itinanggi ng dalawang independent contractor ng GMA Network na sina Jojo Nones at Richard Cruz ang reklamo ng umano’y panghahalay na inihain ng aktor na si Sandro Muhlach sa pagdinig ng Senado. #BalitangA2Z pic.twitter.com/nJeNRiOeat
— Balitang A2Z (@balitangA2Z) August 12, 2024
“Maganda po ang takbo ng aming karera. Maitatanong niyo po sa aming mga nakatrabaho at masasabi naman po namin na iginagalang kami at naging malinis po ang reputasyon namin sa aming naging employer at nakatrabaho sa loob ng tatlumpung taon. Sa tinagal-tagal namin sa industriya, wala po kahit ni isang reklamo, sexual man or anuman ang nag-file sa amin. Kaya hindi po namin sisirain ang iniingatan naming pangalan, karera, at reputasyon para makapang-abuso o harass ng isang tao,” he added.,
Nones and Cruz also openly acknowledged their identities as members of the LGBTQIA+ community, insisting that their sexuality should not be used to malign their character. “Hindi naman po namin itinatanggi na bakla kami. Sa katunayan, ang pagiging bakla namin ang isa sa mga dahilan kaya kami naging creative, artistic, at nagkaroon ng skills na kailangan sa industriya. Buong buhay namin ginamit namin ang pagiging bakla namin sa maayos na paraan para maitaguyod ang aming pamilya,” Nones asserted.
The contractors urged the public to withhold judgment until due process has been completed. “Sa huli, kami rin po ay humihingi ng hustiya. Mabigyan sana ng hustisya ang malisyosong pagbibintang sa amin. Kaya po naming patunayan sa piskalya o anumang korte na wala kaming kasalanan. Hintayin lang po sana natin ang proseso, ang due process. Pero habang hinihintay po yan, humihiling po kami sa sambayanan na huwag niyo muna po kaming husgahan, ituring na parang mga convicted criminals,” Nones added.
In a direct message to Sandro Muhlach, they said, “Kay Sandro, wala kaming ginawang masama sa iyo, alam mo yan sa puso mo. Hindi pa huli ang lahat na magsabi ng totoo.”
The Senate hearing continues as the investigation into the allegations proceeds, with Nones and Cruz maintaining their innocence.
