Senate releases independent TV exec Jojo Nones from detention
Jojo Nones at the hearing of the Senate committee on public information and mass media. (📸Andrea Mae Esteban, Senate Social Media Unit / Screengrab)
MANILA, Philippines — Jojo Nones, one of the alleged abusers of Sandro Muhlach, has been released from detention in the Senate.
The Senate committee on public information and media allowed the release of Nones Wednesday evening after panel head Robin Padilla signed the release order.
Prior to the release, Estrada faced the media and informed that Nones already apologized for his behavior during the chamber’s proceedings held on August 27.
“I am writing to inform Your Honor that I received a letter of apology from Mr. Jojo Nones, who is under the Senate custody, pursuant to an Order of Contempt and Arrest dated 19 August 2024,” the letter reads.
“Mr. Nones had been detained as he was evasive, and even repeatedly lied before the Committee when confronted with questions concerning his alleged offer of settlement to the victim’s family. He continues to be detained because of his disrespectful, insolent and impertinent demeanor and manner towards this Representation during the continuation of the Committee hearing yesterday,” he added.
Estrada likewise signed the release order. Meanwhile, the senator said he had been bashed, maligned, and criticized because of the Muhlach controversy.
“I have been bashed, maligned, and criticized because of the Sandro Muhlach controversy but despite the public condemnation, there’s no barring this representation from performing my sworn duties. Nevertheless, l accept the handwritten apology of Mr. Nones. I also take cognizance of his health concerns and mental [issues],” saiid Estrada.
Nones is an independent contractor of GMA Network. He and Richard Cruz are accused of sexually abusing Muhlach after the GMA Network’s gala night on July 20.
Nones and Cruz already denied the allegations being hurled against them.
In a joint statement that they read during the chamber’s previous proceedings, both of them 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.)
