2 independent contractors in Sandro Muhlach case deny allegations

The two independent contractors of GMA Network on Monday denied allegations that they sexually harassed Sparkle artist Sandro Muhlach and as they appealed to the public not to "crucify them like convicted criminals."

Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz attended the resumption of the Senate inquiry into the policies of television networks and artist management agencies in relation to complaints of abuse and harassment.

They did not attend the first hearing last week.

"Kami po ang independent contractors ng GMA Network na tinutukoy sa mga online posts na kumalat noong mga nakaraang araw. Subalit, hindi po kami gumawa ng kahit anong sexual harassment or abuse laban kay Sandro Muhlach," Cruz said.

"Sa pagkakataong ito sa harap ninyong lahat, mariing tinatanggi po namin ang lahat ng mapanirang akusasyon na ito laban sa amin," he added.

"Kay Sandro, wala kaming ginawang masama sa'yo at alam mo 'yan! Hindi pa huli ang lahat na magsabi nang totoo," Nones said.

The two cited their three decades-long experience in the industry within which they are not accused of any sexual abuse or harassment.

"Sa itinagal-tagal namin sa industriya, wala po kahit isa mang reklamo, sexual or anuman, ang nai-file sa amin. Kaya, hindi po namin sisirain ang iniingatan naming pangalan at karera at reputasyon para makapang-abuso o harass ng isang tao," an emotional Cruz said.

"Lalo na at alam naman naming anak ng sikat na artista at maimpluwensyang pamilya. Ano ba naman ang laban naming mga ordinaryong manggagawa lamang laban sa kanila?" Nones added.

Both refuted claims that they are "executives" of GMA Network Inc., saying they have no "power or influence" inside the company, especially over their artists.

Likewise, they decried the use of their gender identity in linking them to the sexual abuse allegations.

"Napakasakit sa amin at sa aming pamilya na mabasa ang aming mga pangalan online na may caption na 'bakla' at kung anu-anong masasakit at mapanirang-puri na bansag at descriptions," Nones said.

"Bakla po kami, oo, pero hindi kami mga abuser. Bakla kami, oo, pero hindi kami gumagawa ng masama sa kapwa. Bakla kami, oo, at may takot kami sa Diyos," he added.

The two appealed for justice against malicious claims against them, saying they can prove that they are innocent before the court.

"Kami rin po ay humihiling ng hustiya. Mabigyan sana ng hustiya ang malisyosong pagbibintang sa amin. Kaya po naming mapatunayan sa piskalya o korte na wala kaming kasalanan, hintayin lang po sana natin ang proseso, ang due process," Nones said.

"Humihiling po kami sa sambayanan na 'wag nyo po muna kaming husgahan, ipako na parang mga convicted na criminals," he added.

Before their opening statement, Sandro's father— actor Niño Muhlach testified that they met with the two independent contractors and they supposedly apologized to him in the presence of GMA Network Senior Vice President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support Group, Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes.

"When they said sorry naiintindihan ko na ang kwento ng anak ko," Muhlach said.

But Nones clarified that they said "sorry" not because they committed something against Sandro.

"Buong sentence po siya. Hindi lang po siya 'sorry.' 'Sorry po pero wala kaming ginawang masama sa anak ninyo,'" he said.

The circumstances of the case were discussed in an executive session as the information being asked of the resource persons may breach the National Bureau of Investigation's order not to disclose anything in public.—AOL, GMA Integrated News