Sandro Muhlach’s alleged abuser Jojo Nones to remain in detention

FILE. Sandro Muhlach (left) and Jojo Nones. SCREENGRAB FROM SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES

Television contractor Jojo Nones, one of Sandro Muhlach‘s alleged abusers, will remain in detention at the Senate, per order of Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada on Tuesday.

At the continuation of the Senate hearing of the committee on public information and mass media, Estrada gave the directive after Nones refused to answer his string of questions about the events that transpired during and after the alleged rape and sexual harassment of Muhlach.

Aside from Nones, another TV consultant, Richard Dode Cruz, stand charged for the alleged crimes, but he did not show up at the Senate hearing due to hospitalization for gastrointestinal bleeding.

Muhlach, who attended the hearing virtually, bared more details into what transpired on the night of July 20 that led to the commission of the alleged crimes.

According to the actor, he was taught by the two contractors to use a “white substance” which he found on the hotel table when he entered the room. He claimed that Nones and Cruz first used the stuff before asking him to try it.

Right to silence

Following Muhlach’s testimony, Estrada confronted Nones to make a confirmation or denial, but the respondent declined to make a comment, citing his right against self-incrimination.

But the senator proceeded with his battery of questions, asking Nones if he and Cruz went to sleep after Muhlach left their room. An irate Estrada claimed that this question was not incriminating at all.

“Ibig sabihin no’ng umalis si Sandro, ‘di nyo alam kung gising kayo o tulog kayo, gano’n? That is very ridiculous. Di mo alam na umalis si Sandro,” said the lawmaker.

(You mean, when Sandro left, you don’t know if you are still awake or already asleep? That is very ridiculous. You didn’t even know if Sandro already left.)

“Your honor, everything we say here may be connected to the facts of the ongoing [case],” Nones began saying, but Estrada already appeared incensed.

“I reiterate that you still be detained there,” the senator then said.

Jojo Nones speaks before the Senate hearing on public information and mass media on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. (Screenshot from Senate of the Philippines/Youtube)

Heated exchange

Their heated exchange did not end there.

As the hearing went back to Muhlach’s case, Nones repeatedly invoked his right to silence, which further stoked Estrada’s seeming annoyance, saying he is very well aware of the respondent’s rights, but he will be detained nonetheless.

“For just exercising my constitutional rights, you continue to detain me,” Nones answered back.

Estrada then said: “I know your rights, you are always trying to evade the questions that are not incriminating to yourself at the very start of this hearing. You get the court order for you to be released here.”

Nones was ordered detained by the Senate last August 19 after Estrada cited him for contempt for denying that he offered to donate money to Muhlach’s father, Niño, and his charity of choice, allegedly as settlement.