2 independent contractors to appeal DOJ resolution on alleged Sandro Muhlach rape

The camp of independent contractors Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz will appeal the Department of Justice's (DOJ) resolution over the alleged rape of actor Sandro Muhlach.

The DOJ had filed one count of rape through sexual assault and two counts of acts of lasciviousness against Nones and Cruz with a Pasay Regional Trial Court (RTC).

According to a report on "24 Oras" on Friday, , Nones and Cruz's legal counsel,Atty. Maggie Abraham-Garduque said that the grounds laid by the DOJ for the charges do not support the findings.

"For them [Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz] the grounds laid do not support the findings," she said in a statement. "Hence we will appeal this resolution. We might also file motions to quash the informations filed in court."

The DOJ filed the charges against the independent contractors after it found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to hold both liable for the crime.

After the charges were filed against Nones and Cruz, Muhlach's camp said they are "one step closer" to their pursuit of justice.

"We will continue our fight for Sandro and we have faith that our justice system will uphold the truth, honor Sandro's courage, and hold his perpetrators accountable for their atrocities," said Atty. Czarina Raz, Muhlach's counsel, in a statement.

In August, the National Bureau of Investigation and Muhlach filed a complaint against Nones and Cruz for alleged sexual assault.

Muhlach has also filed a formal complaint against them before the human resources of GMA Network, compelling the network to conduct its own investigation.

Nones and Cruz have been suspended by GMA while the investigation is ongoing, according to GMA Network Senior Vice President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support Group Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes.

Gozon-Valdez also stressed that GMA does not condone sexual abuse. —Cody Cepeda/NB, GMA Integrated News