MANILA, Philippines – Earlier this week, sexual allegations against two high-ranking artistic members of GMA surfaced online.
In viral posts, two “GMA executives” allegedly sexually assaulted actor Sandro Muhlach, son of veteran actor Niño Muhlach. The incident is said to have occurred after the GMA gala on July 20.
GMA said Thursday (Aug. 1) that it had “received a form from Sparkle artist Sandro Muhlach opposed to two GMA independent contractors, Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz. “
“Recognizing the seriousness of the alleged incident, GMA Network had already initiated its investigation even before receiving the official complaint,” it said.
“In accordance with Sandro’s request for confidentiality, the investigating company will withhold all main points of the formal investigation until its conclusion. “
Prior to this statement, GMA Network responded first on social media regarding the allegations, with the following on Tuesday afternoon, July 30:
“Articles and posts have recently circulated online relating to an alleged incident involving an artist and independent contractors in the GMA network. We have not yet won a formal complaint from the other people allegedly involved in this case.
“Should a complaint be made, the Network is committed to conducting a thorough and independent investigation. We assure the public that the GMA Network takes such issues very seriously.
Cruz on his IMDB page is described as the artistic leader of many GMA screens as of 2016, while Nones is also credited as director or author of GMA screens.
Meanwhile, Nones and Cruz issued a joint agreement through their legal counsel, attorney Maggie Abraham Garduque, on Thursday.
The attorney said her clients were “deeply saddened by the serious allegations leveled against them,” adding that the allegations against Nones and Cruz “do reflect the true accounts of the event. ”
“We would like to reserve the right to respond in an appropriate forum when we obtain a copy of the formal complaint,” he continued.
Garduque asked the public to “respect the investigation” and “refrain from publishing unfounded defamatory accusations. “
On Friday, August 2, Sandro and his father Niño went to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) workplace to officially register a complaint against Nones and Cruz. According to a report by ABS-CBN News, the NBI proved that this is a sexual assault complaint.
Niño also took to Facebook Friday night to ask about his family.
“Our family circle has suffered greatly because of the unspeakable and despicable acts committed against our son. We ask that your prayers help us muster enough strength and courage to face the horror of reliving the despicable acts of the perpetrators as we seek justice through our legal system,” he said.
Hours after GMA’s initial statement, Sandro Niño’s father, in the early hours of Wednesday, July 31, posted a cryptic and threatening message on Facebook, saying: “Inumpisahan niyo, tatapusin ko!”(You, I’ll finish it!)
About two hours later, Sandro’s mother-in-law, Diane Abby Tupaz, had a longer message, expressing her anger and highlighting how they had lovingly raised their children, only to be victims of abhorrent behavior.
Tupaz called for justice, saying, “Hindi kami makakapayag ng hindi namin makakamit ang hustisya. . . Itutuloy nomin ang laban! (We will allow ourselves to obtain justice. . . We will continue the struggle!)
As Philstar reports, other members of Muhlach’s extended family have also expressed their support, but like Sandro’s father and stepmother, they have revealed no names or major points as of this writing.
Luigi Muhlach, Aga Muhlach’s son with Janice de Belen, shared Niño’s message, captioned “subukan niyo kami ng gising. ” (Try us while we’re awake).
Andrew, Aga’s younger brother, also shared Niño’s message, with the caption “justice will prevail. “
Niño’s sister, Angela Muhlach, said in a July 31 post: “Our family circle will be the ones to break the injustices that all other artists face! This will have to stop! We will fight for injustice. “
Sandro Muhlach, 23, is Niño’s son with his ex-wife Edith Millare, according to Pep. – Rappler. com
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