Niño Muhlach with Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz. Image from Senate livestream / Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate Social Media Unit)
Actor Niño Muhlach bared on Monday the text messages between his son, Sparkle GMA artist Sandro Muhlach, and the latter’s alleged abusers, maintaining that it was the TV consultants who enticed the young actor to come to their hotel room after the GMA Network gala last July 20.
The Senate committee on public information and mass media is investigating the alleged sexual harassment suffered by his son in the hands of respondents Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz.
Speaking during the hearing, Muhlach sought to debunk the insinuations of the TV contractors that it was Sandro who offered to come to their hotel room, which was just across the hotel where the gala was held. He said that it was not his son who even sparked the conversation with the respondents.
“Nainsulto talaga ako noong sinabi nila sa media na si Sandro ang unang nag text eh. I’m just — that’s why I’m doing this for my son and for all the others na dumaan sa ganitong sitwasyon na walang kakayahan lumaban,” said Muhlach.
(I am offended that they told the media that it was Sandro who texted first. I’m just – that’s why I’m doing this for my son and for all the others who went through the same situation who have no will to fight.)
READ: Sandro Muhlach’s alleged abusers apologized, thought it was ‘consensual’ — Niño
He then proceeded to read the conversation between his son and Nones. The first text message was sent at 3:59 a.m. on July 21.
“Hi, Sandro. Saw you kanina, didn’t get to say hi. Nakauwi ka na?” said Muhlach, indicating that the message was sent by Nones. (Hi, Sandro. I saw you earlier, but I did not get to say hi. Are you home?)
Sandro replied: “Sir Jojo, sorry po. Di po kita nakita kanina. Naka check-in po kami right now sa Marriott, Sir. Hope to see you soonest, Sir Jojo.” (Sir Jojo, I’m sorry I wasn’t able to see you earlier. We’re currently in Marriot, Sir. Hope to see you soonest, Sir Jojo.)
Muhlach said his son and Jojo are close and often exchange pleasantries and greetings on SMS (text), such as “Happy birthday” and “Merry Christmas.” He said Nones carried on with the conversation by asking Sandro next: “Enjoy. Still partying, sino kasama mo?” (Enjoy. Still partying, who are you with?)
According to Muhlach, his son replied that he was just eating and that he was with his friends Nate and Elijah Alejo.
The rest of the conversation transpired as follows based on Muhlach’s testimony:
Nones: Be safe
Sandro: Thank you, Sir Jojo. Hope to work with you again. See you soon po.
Nones: Nabitin ako sa inom hahahaha (I was unsatisfied with the drinks hahaha)
Sandro: Ako nga rin po eh (Me too)
Nones: Yes, soon. Cast kita nagdi-direk ako now (Yes, soon. I will include you in my cast. I’m directing now.)
Sandro: Wow, sir. Looking forward to that too
Nones: Gusto mo ba? We have some alcohol here in the room. We can order some more (Do you want? We have some alcohol here in the room. We can order some more)
Sandro: Saan po kayo, Sir? (Where are you, Sir?)
Nones: Belmont Hotel, katabi lang ng Marriott (Belmont Hotel, just beside Marriott)
Sandro: Sinu-sino po kayo, Sir? Hahaha (Who are you with, Sir?)
Nones: Just me
According to Muhlach, his son did not reply. “Syempre, yung bata – nakita na siya lang mag isa, hindi na sumagot. Natakot,” he explained. (Of course, the kid got scared because he was alone. That’s why he did not answer.)
But after a while — at exactly 4:27 a.m., Muhlach said Nones texted his son again, saying: “Hahaha just kidding, [I am with] the drama [people]. But we’re wrapping up in a bit.”
“Siyempre, kahit sinong artista na baguhan, given the chance na makasama mo ang drama [people], you will take the chance dahil pagkakataon mo ‘yun i-market yung sarili mo eh. Makasama sila, maka-party mo,” said Muhlach. (Of course, any new artists, if given the chance to be with the drama people, you will take the chance because it might be an opportunity to market yourself. You’ll be able to be with them and party with them.)
Muhlach proceeded with reading the conversation.
Sandro: Nandyan pa ba kayo, Sir? Baka po pwedeng dumaan saglit hahahaha (Are you still there, Sir? Can I drop by even for a bit hahaha)
Nones: Sure, may kasama ka? (Sure, are you with someone?)
Sandro: No po, ako lang. Kabababa ko lang po sa room ng friends ko (No, I am alone. I just went down from our room with my friends.)
Nones: Oks, Belmont Hotel. 700B (Okay, it’s Belmont Hotel. [Room] 700B.)
Sandro: Okay po, akyat po ako (Okay. I’ll go.)
Following Muhlach’s exposé, Nones’ legal counsel, Maggie Abraham-Garduque, said there was no denial on their part that it was her client who first texted.
But Muhlach retorted: “Bakit niyo pinapalabas sa media na si Sandro ‘yung unang nag text?” (Why are you making it appear as if it’s Sandro who texted first?)
“Your honor, we have no — wala po kaming pinapalabas sa media na si Sandro ang unang nag text. We just mentioned that there was a message like that,” Abraham-Garduque answered.
At this point, Sen, Jinggoy Estrada butted in, saying that Nones’ camp is, indeed, “making it appear as if it was Sandro who texted first.”
“It was not our intention,” Abraham-Garduque maintained.
Nones and Cruz, who were earlier named as the alleged abusers of Sandro, already denied the allegations being hurled against them.
In a joint statement they read during the chamber’s proceedings on Monday, they admitted to being gay but maintained that they are not abusers.
“Kay Sandro Muhlach, wala kaming ginawang masama sayo at alam mo yan sa puso mo. Hindi pa huli ang lahat na magsabi ng totoo,” they said.
(Sandro Muhlach, we did not do anything bad to you and you know it deep within your heart. It’s not yet too late to tell the truth.)