Two senators have expressed confidence in the strength of the evidence against two individuals accused of sexual harassment involving young actor Sandro Muhlach.
This development follows an executive session held by the Senate committee on public information and mass media with Sandro’s father, Niño Muhlach, and the accused, GMA Network contractors Jojo Tawasil Nones and Richard Dode Cruz.
Senator Robin Padilla, chair of the committee, revealed that the session provided sufficient grounds to pursue the case. “Kanina po na nag-executive session kami, nagpapasalamat po kami sa mga partido na nakausap namin at napagdesisyunan po ng kumite na tunay po na sa tingin po namin na meron pong kaukulan na dahilan para mai-file ‘yung kaso,” Padilla stated. He clarified that while the Senate is not a court, the evidence presented during the session indicated that the case should move forward through legal channels.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada supported this view, noting that the details shared in the session pointed to strong evidence against the accused. “Based on the discussions earlier during the executive session, and of course, we cannot divulge…yet the details of what transpired during the executive session, but what we all transpired and agreed, together with Senators Revilla, Padilla, Grace Poe, and Senator Bato dela Rosa, there is a strong evidence against these two gentlemen,” Estrada said. However, he refrained from disclosing specific information, emphasizing the need for further investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
The senators have requested that the NBI submit all relevant evidence to the Senate committee within two days.
Before the executive session, both Nones and Cruz denied the allegations. Nones asserted, “Kay Sandro, wala kaming ginawang masama sa’yo at alam mo ‘yan! Hindi pa huli ang lahat na magsabi nang totoo.” Cruz also denied the accusations, stating, “Hindi po kami gumawa ng kahit anong sexual harassment or abuse laban kay Sandro Muhlach. Sa pagkakataong ito sa harap ninyong lahat, mariing tinatanggi po namin ang lahat ng mapanirang akusasyon na ito laban sa amin.”
During the hearing, Niño Muhlach presented a text message exchange between Sandro and Nones, which he argued was evidence that the accused misled the public. Muhlach revealed that Nones had initiated contact with Sandro in the early morning hours, inviting him to a hotel room, initially stating he was alone and later claiming to be with colleagues.
Muhlach argued that this invitation, particularly when Nones indicated he was alone, made Sandro uncomfortable, causing him to hesitate in responding. Muhlach also criticized Nones for suggesting to the media that Sandro had initiated the conversation.
Estrada echoed this concern, pointing out that Nones’ camp had not disclosed the full context of the exchange. “You did not mention the prior conversation, the prior text before you came out with that text. Base doon sa text na ‘yun na ipinalalabas ninyo na sige pupunta muna ako dyan saglit,” Estrada said, suggesting that Sandro might not have agreed to visit Nones’ hotel room had he known the true situation.
At the end of the hearing, Niño Muhlach indicated that he would discuss with Sandro the possibility of attending the Senate inquiry, though Sandro has expressed reluctance to face Cruz and Nones.
