Sandro Muhlach. Screengrab from the Senate.
Sandro Muhlach was allegedly offered drugs before he was purportedly molested, according to Senator Jinggoy Estrada, citing the former’s affidavit.
Estrada made the disclosure at the continuation of the hearing being conducted by the Senate committee on public information and mass media, which is investigating alleged prevalence of sexual harassment cases in the entertainment industry.
Muhlach attended the hearing only virtually with his lawyer, the first time that he did so after allegations about the abuse surfaced in social media. Meanwhile, TV consultants Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz, who were named as respondents in Muhlach’s complaints, were present at the Senate.
“Maliwanag na maliwanag na sinabi ni Sandro, may drugs pa na involved, may sexual harassment na involved, hindi na nga sexual harassment eh, assault eh,” Estrada said, citing Muhlach’s affidavit.
He continued: “Dahil pinagsamantalahan niyo yung bata, pinag-take niyo ng drugs saka niyo pinagsamantalahan. That is a drug-induced sexual assault. Tama ba sinabi ko, Arty? NBI?”
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NBI investigator Atty. Zulikha Marie Conales confirmed that there was an allegation that Muhlach was told to sniff drugs before the purported sexual abuse.
“Kawawa naman yung bata, pinag-drugs niyo na, hinalay niyo pa,” Estrada said.
Nones categorically denied this.
Muhlach earlier said that Nones also offered him wine when he entered their hotel room.
Sen. Robin Padilla, who heads the panel, previously said that the panel determined that the case against Nones and Cruz are strong.
More details bared
Muhlach initially hesitated to give more details about the incident, as Nones and Cruz have yet to received copies of the complaint that they filed before the National Bureau of Investigation.
At the prodding of Estrada, Muhlach narrated that Nones offered him wine upon the young actor’s arrival at the respondent’s hotel room.
Cruz, on the other hand, who he met for the first time, was already drunk and was lying on the hotel bed when the actor arrived.
Estrada asked Muhlach: “When you entered the room, who did you see?”
“Sila pong dalawa,” Muhlach said.
“What are they doing?” Estrada asked. The actor hesitated to answer at first, saying he could not get into details as Nones and Cruz have yet to receive the complaint.
“No, no, no, you tell us. We ought to know,” Estrada said.
Muhlach said: “Nakita ko po silang dalawa. Si Richard Cruz po ay lasing na lasing na. Ang nag-aasikaso po sa akin ay si Sir Jojo, ino-offeran po ako ng wine. Lasing po, (Cruz) nakahiga po siya nung una ko siyang nakita so tumayo po si Richard po.”
Estrada asked: “When Jojo offered you wine, you drank wine?”
“Opo, your honor,” Muhlach said.
“What else did he offer you?” Estrada then asked, to which Muhlach did not immediately answer. Eventually, an irked Estrada then said that if they would not speak then he would either ask to cut short the hearing or he would decide to leave, prompting the young actor’s camp to ask for an executive session.