TV consultants accused of abuse by Sandro Muhlach seek burden of proof

Sandro Muhlach. Image: Camp of GMA’s independent contractors says Muhlachs have ‘burden to prove’ claims. Image: Ahleks Fusilero via Instagram/@sandromuhlach

The camp of Richard Cruz and Jojo Nones, who were earlier identified as the TV consultants who allegedly abused Sandro Muhlach, is asking for burden of proof to bolster his claims of sexual harassment.

In a message to INQUIRER.net, Atty Maggie Abraham-Garduque, counsel for both Cruz and Nones, said they have received a copy of the administrative complaint filed by Muhlach at GMA, the network where he is signed with, and where the respondents are contracted as consultants.

Cruz and Nones were given five days within which to file their response.

While not inclined to disclose the full details of the complaint, Abraham-Garduque said that one of the “evidence” presented by Muhlach needed verification — that he was enticed to go up to the room of the respondents.

“I don’t want to go to details but I just want to say that in every proceeding whether that is administrative or criminal, the person who alleged 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,” said Abraham-Garduque.

“However, his own evidence proves otherwise. Based on the text messages, it was Mr. Muhlach who messaged Mr. Nones with ‘Andyan pa ba kayo sir? Baka po pwede dumaan saglit (Are you still there, Sir? Should I show up for a bit?) haha,’” she continued.

INQUIRER.net sought comment from the Muhlach camp but has not received a reply as of posting.

The Muhlachs earlier said they wanted to proceed with a sexual harassment claim to be handled privately. They have already asked the National Bureau of Investigation to step in the case.

Showbiz insider Ogie Diaz earlier said he received information from the Muhlach camp that the young star was told to come up the hotel room of one of the respondents, to be with the other network creatives. His source further told Diaz that Muhlach was also persuaded to take a form of an illegal substance that made him hallucinate, before the alleged sexual abuse took place.