Sandro Muhlach recounts abuse, forced drug use at Senate probe
Sandro Muhlach. Screengrab from the Senate
MANILA, Philippines — Actor Sandro Muhlach narrated at a Senate hearing on Tuesday how he was molested and taught to use illegal drugs by his alleged abusers.
His two alleged abusers were earlier identified as Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz, independent contractors of GMA Network. Nones and Cruz have repeatedly denied the allegations.
“So going back po sa buong incident, ‘yun nga po it just happened after the GMA gala,” Muhlach said at the continuation of the Senate committee on public information and mass media’s hearing on his case and other alleged abuses in the entertainment industry.
(So going back on the whole incident, as I said it just happened after the GMA gala)
He then repeated what he testified in the last hearing about how he ended up at the hotel room of Nones and Cruz after the GMA Network’s gala on July 20.
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“Pagpunta ko po ng room nila, ayun nga po nakita po Sir Jojo saka si Dode Cruz. Si Dode Cruz po lasing na lasing na,” said Muhlach, who attended the hearing virtually.
(When I went to their room, I saw Sir Jojo and Dode Cruz there. Dode Cruz was extremely drunk)
“Pinakilala po ako ni sir Jojo so tumayo po si Dode sa bed tapos pinakilala po ako ni Sir Jojo na ‘si Sandro ito, anak ni Niño. Magaling na artista ito, magaling na kontrabida ito, ica-cast ko ito soon. Ganun po ‘yung usapan,” he continued.
(Sir Jojo introduced me, so Dode stood up from the bed, and Sir Jojo said, ‘This is Sandro, Niño’s child. He’s a talented actor and a great villain. I’ll be casting him soon.’ That was the conversation.)
He said Nones gave him wine and made him drink it, handed him a P500 bill, and then put a “white substance” on the hotel table and broke it using a room key card.
“Tapos ayun po tinuruan po niya ako kung paano po gamitin ‘yung substance,” Muhlach said, still referring to Nones.
(And then he taught me how to use the substance.)
“Nauna po silang suminghot ni Dode Cruz. Sila pong dalawa, then ako po ‘yung pinasunod nila. Then after ilang minutes po, hinila nga po ako ni Sir Jojo sa kama then si Dode Cruz po tinanggal po ‘yung polo ko…” Muhlach said.
(He and Dode Cruz sniffed first. The two of them, then I was the one they made to follow. Then after a few minutes, Sir Jojo pulled me to the bed then Dode Cruz took off my polo)
READ: Senators see ‘strong evidence’ vs accused in Sandro Muhlach case
At this point, however, the actor paused and closed his eyes as he struggled to finish his sentence.
“Bigla po n’yang sinuck ‘yung nipples ko po parehos. Sobrang sakit po. Then si Sir Jojo po binaba po ‘yung pantalon ko, tapos Mr. chair, sobrang laswa po kasi…” he continued.
(He suddenly sucked my nipples both. It hurts so much. Then Sir Jojo pulled down my pants, then Mr. chair, it’s very obscene because…)
“It’s ok, it’s ok. I understand. They take turns?” Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada asked Muhlach.
When the actor answered yes, Estrada stopped Muhlach from giving more details about the incident.
Nones repeatedly invoked his right against self-incrimination when asked about the actor’s allegations against him.
“I would like to invoke my right (against) self-incrimination since the case is already in the DOJ (Department of Justice), we will answer there….” Nones said.
Charges of rape through sexual assault and several acts of lasciviousness have already been filed at the DOJ against Nones and Cruz.
Cruz, meanwhile, was not present in the hearing Tuesday, Aug. 27, as he is confined at St. Luke’s Hospital in Taguig due to gastrointestinal bleeding, according to his lawyer, Adonai Jan Aslarona.
NOTE: The English translations in the article were AI-generated.