The Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially filed criminal charges of rape and sexual assault against former television consultants Jojo Tawasil Nones and Richard Dode Cruz following allegations made by actor Sandro Muhlach.
Acting Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon confirmed that the charges were filed based on Muhlach’s detailed account and positive identification of the accused. “Based on the investigation conducted by our prosecutor, it appears that there is a definite positive identification by the victim of the two individuals who abused him, and he narrated thoroughly the details of what happened to him,” Fadullon said in a statement.
Fadullon noted that while the respondents’ sole defense was denial, the weight of positive identification made by the victim and his detailed recount of the incident played a significant role in the prosecutor’s decision. “We know that, in law, positive identification is the strongest form of evidence and denial by itself is the weakest,” he added.
Attorney Maggie Garduque, representing Nones and Cruz, stated that they would issue an official response after reviewing the DOJ’s decision and the grounds for the charges.
During Senate hearings earlier this month, Muhlach identified Nones and Cruz as his alleged abusers, detailing that the incident occurred on July 20, the night of the GMA Gala. Muhlach stated that the accused provided him with wine and P500 before presenting a “white substance” on a table, reportedly instructing him on how to use it.
The actor claimed he was then pulled onto the bed and assaulted by both men.
