NIÑO Muhlach bared on Monday, August 12, the text messages between his son Sandro and his alleged abusers, maintaining that it was the TV consultants who enticed the young actor to come to their hotel room after the GMA Network gala last July 20.
The Senate committee on public information and mass media is investigating the alleged sexual harassment suffered by his son in the hands of respondents Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz.
Speaking during the hearing, Muhlach sought to debunk the insinuations of the TV contractors that it was Sandro who offered to come to their hotel room, which was just across the hotel where the gala was held. He said that it was not his son who even sparked the conversation with the respondents.
“Nainsulto talaga ako noong sinabi nila sa media na si Sandro ang unang nag text eh. I’m just — that’s why I’m doing this for my son and for all the others na dumaan sa ganitong sitwasyon na walang kakayahan lumaban,” said Muhlach.
He then proceeded to read the conversation between his son and Nones. The first text message was sent at 3:59 a.m. on July 21.
“Hi, Sandro. Saw you kanina, didn’t get to say hi. Nakauwi ka na?” said Muhlach, indicating that the message was sent by Nones.
Sandro replied: “Sir Jojo, sorry po. Di po kita nakita kanina. Naka check-in po kami right now sa Marriott, Sir. Hope to see you soonest, Sir Jojo.”
Muhlach said his son and Jojo are close and often exchange pleasantries and greetings on SMS (text), such as “Happy birthday” and “Merry Christmas.” He said Nones carried on with the conversation by asking Sandro next: “Enjoy. Still partying, sino kasama mo?”
According to Muhlach, his son replied that he was just eating and that he was with his friends Nate and Elijah Alejo.
The rest of the conversation transpired as follows based on Muhlach’s testimony:
Nones: Be safe
Sandro: Thank you, Sir Jojo. Hope to work with you again. See you soon po.
Nones: Nabitin ako sa inom hahahaha
Sandro: Ako nga rin po eh
Nones: Yes, soon. Cast kita nagdi-direk ako now.
Sandro: Wow, sir. Looking forward to that too
Nones: Gusto mo ba? We have some alcohol here in the room. We can order some more
Sandro: Saan po kayo, Sir?
Nones: Belmont Hotel, katabi lang ng Marriott
Sandro: Sinu-sino po kayo, Sir? Hahaha
Nones: Just me
According to Muhlach, his son did not reply.
But after a while — at exactly 4:27 a.m., Muhlach said Nones texted his son again, saying: “Hahaha just kidding, [I am with] the drama [people]. But we’re wrapping up in a bit.”
Muhlach proceeded with reading the conversation.
Sandro: Nandyan pa ba kayo, Sir? Baka po pwedeng dumaan saglit hahahaha
Nones: Sure, may kasama ka?
Sandro: No po, ako lang. Kabababa ko lang po sa room ng friends ko
Nones: Oks, Belmont Hotel. [Room] 700B.
Sandro: Okay po, akyat po ako.
Following Muhlach’s exposé, Nones’ legal counsel, Maggie Abraham-Garduque, said there was no denial on their part that it was her client who first texted.
At this point, Sen, Jinggoy Estrada butted in, saying that Nones’ camp is, indeed, “making it appear as if it was Sandro who texted first.”
Nones and Cruz, who were earlier named as the alleged abusers of Sandro, already denied the allegations being hurled against them.
In a joint statement they read during the chamber’s proceedings on Monday, they admitted to being gay but maintained that they are not abusers. (Charie Mae Abarca © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
