Senator Robin Padilla has called for a Senate investigation into a sexual harassment complaint involving a GMA Network artist.
The announcement was made during a plenary session on August 5, with the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media set to lead the inquiry.
During the session, Senator Padilla refrained from naming individuals involved but stressed the necessity for clarity and transparency regarding the incident that occurred last month. Representatives from GMA Network are expected to be summoned to provide details during the hearing.
“’Di po natin sinasabi na may sabit dito ang GMA-7. Hindi po. Ang sinasabi po natin dito kailangan magkaroon ng malinaw na pagpapaliwanag sa committee ng mass media ang naganap na ito. Sapagkat ito po ay public information,” Senator Padilla stated.
GMA Network confirmed their cooperation with the Senate committee and assured that they would send representatives to the hearing.
Recently, ’24 Oras’ confirmed that Sparkle artist Sandro Muhlach filed a complaint with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against two unnamed individuals. Additionally, Sandro lodged a complaint with GMA Network against two independent contractors, Jojo Tawasil Nones and Richard Dode Cruz.
GMA Network promptly initiated an investigation upon learning about the complaint, even before it circulated on social media.
“Recognizing the seriousness of the alleged incident, GMA Network had already initiated its investigation even before receiving the formal complaint,” the network stated. “Respecting Sandro’s request for confidentiality, the investigating body will withhold all details of the formal investigation until its conclusion.”
Meanwhile, the legal counsel for Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz, Atty. Maggie Abraham-Garduque, expressed their clients’ distress over the allegations.
“Our clients are deeply saddened by the serious allegations hurled against them circulating on social media. And though these allegations do not mirror the true accounts of the event, we would like to reserve the right to respond in a proper forum when we receive a copy of the formal complaint,” Atty. Garduque stated.
