Sandro Muhlach, Gerald Santos testify at Senate on alleged abuse

Sandro Muhlach (left) and Gerald Santos | Image: Ahleks Fusilero via Instagram/@sandromuhlach; Gerald Santos/FACEBOOK

MANILA, Philippines — Actors Sandro Muhlach and Gerald Santos attended the Senate panel hearing Monday amid their respective claims that they have fallen victim to alleged sexual predators in the show biz industry.

The Senate committee on public information and mass media seeks to address the policies of television networks against sexual abuse cases.

Muhlach, who recently filed a sexual harassment case against two consultants of a television network, appeared before the Senate panel virtually.

GMA independent contractors Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz, who were named as respondents by Muhlach, are also in the hearing. Both Cruz and Nones vehemently denied the allegations, but the Senate panel determined that the evidence against them is strong, according to its head Sen. Robin Padilla.

Santos also appeared in the hearing for the first time. He previously claimed that he too was sexually abused when he was just 15 years old and still trying out his way in show business.

While he has previously stated the abuse that he suffered in the past, he said that his ordeal seemed to have resurfaced in light of Muhlach’s experience. He pointed out that during his time, there was no social media to help him put added pressure on the perpetrator.