TV contractors Jojo Nones and Richard Dode Cruz, who are accused of sexually harassing Sparkle artist Sandro Muhlach, defended themselves against the allegations and lamented what they perceive as prejudice against them because of their sexuality.
During a Senate committee hearing on public information and mass media on Monday, August 12, Nones and Cruz, both openly gay, read a prepared joint statement denying the accusations made by the young actor, who claimed that he was sexually abused after the GMA Network’s gala night on July 20.
“Bakla kami, oo. Pero hindi kami gumagawa ng masama sa kapwa. Bakla kami, oo, at may takot kami sa Diyos,” Nones emotionally said as he and Cruz took turns reading their statement.
The contractors insisted on their innocence and asserted that they had no involvement in any form of sexual harassment or abuse against Sandro.
“Hindi kami gumawa ng kahit anong sexual harassment or abuse laban kay Sandro Muhlach. Sa pagkakataong ito sa harap ninyong lahat, mariing itinatanggi po namin ang lahat ng mapanirang akusasyon na ito laban sa amin,” they firmly stated.
Nones and Cruz also clarified their professional roles, explaining that they have worked in television for more than 30 years and have contributed to the industry with award-winning and top-rated television series and dramas.
Cruz added that contrary to public belief, they are not GMA Network executives but independent contractors.
“Mariing tinatanggi po namin ang lahat ng mapanirang akusasyon, kami po ay hindi executives ng GMA Network tulad ng mga lumalabas. Wala po kaming kapangyarihan or impluwensya sa network lalong lalo na sa mga artista nito,” he clarified.
The pair acknowledged their sexual orientation but expressed pain over being judged and labeled based on unverified claims and baseless allegations tied to their sexuality.
“Napakasakit sa amin at sa aming pamilya na mabasa ang aming mga pangalan online na may caption na ‘bakla’ at kung anu-anong masasakit at mapanirang-puri na bansag at descriptions,” lamented Nones.
“Bakla kami, oo, pero hindi kami mga abuser. Bakla kami, oo, pero hindi kami gumagawa ng masama sa kapwa. Bakla kami, oo, at may takot po kami sa Diyos,” he added.
Nones and Cruz called on the public not to judge them as criminals as they are also seeking justice and hoping to clear their names.
“Sa huli ay humihiling rin po kami ng hustisya. Mabigyan sana ng hustisya ang malisosyong pagbibintang sa amin. Kaya po naming mapatunayan sa piskalya o korte na wala kaming kasalanan,” Cruz asserted.
They further requested the public not to judge or condemn them as if they are already convicted criminals and believe they can prove their innocence in court.
“Humihiling po kami sa sambayanan na huwag nyo po kaming husgahan, ipako na parang convicted na criminals,” he pleaded the public.
Cruz also urged Muhlach to come forward and reveal the truth.
“Kay Sandro, wala kaming ginawang masama sayo at alam mo yan sa puso mo. Hindi pa huli ang lahat na magsabi ng totoo,” Cruz addressed the young actor.
The hearing marked the first public appearance of Nones and Cruz since the allegations surfaced following a widely circulated blind item about an incident involving a young artist and “TV executives”.
Sandro’s father, Nino Muhlach, previously presented himself before government officials as he spoke about his son’s traumatic experience for the first time during the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media’s investigation of allegations of sexual abuse.
