(THE FREEMAN) CEBU, Philippines — The GMA contractors accused of sexual harassment have been subpoenaed by a Senate panel led by actor-turned lawmaker Sen. Robin Padilla yesterday.
Padilla, who chairs the Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, led an inquiry into the policies of television networks and artist management agencies when it comes to abuse and harassment complaints.
In his opening statement, Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., who is also a showbiz veteran, said that fellow actor Niño Muhlach personally approached him and told him what had happened to his son, Sandro Muhlach. Revilla vouched for Niño, who works with the senator on the GMA series, “Walang Matigas na Pulis sa Matinik na Misis.”
Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada (who was also in showbiz) also attended the hearing.
“Please be informed that we are not employees or parts of the management of GMA or Sparkle Management Agency, which are the right persons to discuss the policy of the television network,” Estrada read the letter of contractors Richard Cruz and Jojo Nones. “At the onset, we deny all the accusations against us. We hope this honorable committee will respect our decision not to attend in this hearing.”
The two contractors also said that they are still respondents in the criminal case filed by Sandro against them.
A visibly annoyed Estrada said that these excuses were invalid, tearing up the letters at the hearing. “I just would like to give a piece of advice to these gentlemen. Alam niyo, pagka-inimbita kayo sa senado, huwag niyo ipre-empt ang aming mga tanong, okay? So Mister Chair, I believe this letter is totally unacceptable and I move we subpoena them, subpoena ad testificandum, at the next hearing,” Estrada said.
Revilla seconded the motion and Padilla later approved it.
Sandro was also absent from the hearing, citing mental and emotional distress. Estrada attempted to subpoena Sandro due to his lack of a medical certificate excusing his absence but was told by the National Bureau of Investigation that he has to limit his public exposure, as it might affect his statements.
Niño broke down as he appeared before the Senate hearing on behalf of Sandro, who filed a formal complaint against GMA Network’s two independent contractors for alleged sexual abuse.
The country’s former Child Wonder recalled Sandro trembling and barely holding his phone while telling him about the alleged abuse – even as his voice was shaking and he was holding back tears. “Kaya talaga ako nasaktan nung kinuwento niya sa akin ‘yung nangyari,” he said.
Niño said Sandro, who is part of the network’s talent agency Sparkle, didn’t initially want to file a complaint for fear of affecting his work and of GMA’s reaction. Sandro’s lawyer also said he’s still traumatized by the incident.
“Kung makita niyo lang po ang anak ko talaga,” Niño said while crying, noting Sandro informed his sibling Alonzo first about the incident before him. “Sobrang nakakasama lang talaga ng loob.”
Before the formal filing of complaints happened, the names of Sandro, Nones, and Cruz were making the rounds on social media after a local entertainment news website published a blind item claiming that two program executives harassed a newbie artist in a hotel room.
The alleged incident happened while an extravagant gathering took place on the hotel’s premises, the report said. GMA recently held its gala night last July 20 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Newport Pasay City.
In the hearing, Niño also expressed bitterness toward Nones, as the latter served as the head writer of “Walang Matigas na Mister sa Matinik na Misis”, where he was a cast member.
“Sobrang galang ko sa kaniya. Kapag may mga events kami, ako pa lumalapit sa kaniya,” Niño said, adding he even addresses Nones as Sir Jojo. “Hindi ko matanggap ang ginawa niya sa anak ko. Sobrang sama ng loob ko talaga kay Jojo Nones.”
He noted that he doesn’t know Cruz personally and only heard about him when he heard Sandro’s story. Niño also rhetorically asked whether Nones and Cruz have other victims, especially those who aren’t household names.
“Hindi ko naman sinasabi na may ginawan silang iba,” he said. “Pero kung nakaya nilang gawin sa isang pamilya na may pundasyon na sa industriyang ito, paano pa sa iba?”
Niño also noted how he did his best to be a good father to Sandro. “I may not have been a good husband…but I could proudly say that I did my best to be a good father,” he said. “Sa abot ng aking makakaya.”
He said he taught their children the value of respect. Niño also pointed out that when Sandro informed him of plans to enter showbiz, there was no nepotism involved as he let Sandro figure out himself how to break into the business.
“Wala akong tinawagan na kahit sino na para makapasok siya,” he said. “Nalaman ko na lang na nag-audition siya. Natanggap siya sa Sparkle.”
Niño also commended the humility of Sandro who, despite owning a car, rides the shuttle and joins everybody. “Walang special treatment. Ganoon kababa ang loob ni Sandro,” Niño said, adding his son is a quiet kid who loves what he does.
Nones and Cruz, meanwhile, are seeking to dismiss Sandro’s formal complaint before GMA Network. In a statement sent to The Philippine STAR, their legal counsel Atty. Maggie Abraham Garduque noted that in every proceeding, the person who makes allegations has the burden to prove.
“In the formal complaint, one of the allegations of Mr. Muhlach was he was lured by our clients to go up to the hotel room. However, his own evidence proves otherwise,” Garduque said. “Based on the text messages, it was Mr. Muhlach who messaged Mr. Nones with ‘Andyan pa ba kayo sir Baka po pwede dumaan saglit haha.’”
Garduque said her clients will ask to dismiss the case “not only for lack of evidence to substantiate the elements of sexual harassment/sexual assault, [but] worse, his evidence is contrary to his allegations.” – Philstar.com