The lawyer representing two independent contractors of GMA Network has categorically denied the sexual harassment allegations filed by actor Sandro Muhlach with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Atty. Maggie Abraham-Garduque, the legal counsel for the accused, asserted, “At the onset naman sinabi namin na there is an absolute denial of the allegations being accused of our clients. So may denial talaga.”
The two contractors, who were summoned by the NBI Public Corruption Division on Friday, did not appear in person but instead submitted a Joint Counter Affidavit, firmly rejecting the claims made against them.
“Ang NBI naman there’s just still processing the evidence. So hindi pa po talaga ‘to considered as kaso,” Garduque explained.
She also highlighted the adverse effects the allegations have had on her clients, both professionally and personally. “Kung kilala niyo naman itong dalawa mga clients namin, they’ve been in the television industry for more than 30 years. Naging malinis po ang reputasyon. So this is very destroying to their reputation, sobrang nakakaapekto sa mental health nila ngayon,” she said.
The NBI’s Behavioral Science Division conducted a psychological assessment of Sandro Muhlach, which confirmed that the actor had suffered trauma from the incident, according to his father, Niño Muhlach.
“Syempre affected pa rin. May depression, konting depression pati ‘yung pagkain niya naapektuhan, pagtulog. Pero hopefully in the coming days, sana mag-improve,” Niño stated.
The Senate hearing on Wednesday, where GMA Network pledged its cooperation with the investigation, has been a significant development. Niño indicated that it is now up to Sandro to decide whether or not he will return to acting.
“Whenever he feels like working again. Nagsabi naman ang GMA na they’re willing to wait,” Niño added.
PANOORIN: Itinanggi ni Atty. Maggie Garduque, abogado ng dalawang inirereklamong independent contractors ng GMA, ang mga akusasyon laban sa kanyang mga kliyente.
Dagdag pa niya, apektado ang reputasyon at mental health ng dalawang inaakusahan ng sexual harassment. | via… pic.twitter.com/1bJ3hXoSTZ
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) August 9, 2024
Niño also shared that he had already confronted the two contractors, who apologized to him. “Actually nakaharap ko na ‘yung dalawa eh and they apologized to me regarding what happened. Kaya ko silang patawarin but they have to pay for what they did,” he remarked.
In response, Garduque clarified the implications of the apology, stating, “Depende po kasi kung saan nagso-sorry. If nag-sorry po with regard to the liability, under the rules po pagka sa criminal case, there is a presumption of guilt. Pero pag civil case, that’s not a presumption of guilt.”
The legal team of the contractors is currently deliberating on whether they will attend the next Senate hearing, as they have also been issued subpoenas.
