DOJ files rape, sexual assault charges against Sandro Muhlach's alleged abusers
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially taken legal action against former TV consultants Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz, for allegedly sexually abusing actor Sandro Muhlach.
According to reports, Nones and Cruz have been charged with rape through sexual assault and two counts of acts of lasciviousness at a Pasay Region Trial Court.
The move comes after prosecutors found "prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction" for the charges under Article 266-A paragraph 2 (Rape) of the Anti-Rape Law of 1197 and Acts of Lasciviousness under Article 336 of the Revised Penal Code.
Per Acting Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon, Muhlach "narrated in detail" what his alleged abusers did to him after he entered their hotel room a few months ago.
"Of course, kinonsider ng prosecutor kung ano yung depensa na ni-raise ng mga respondents. Pero dito sa kasong ito ang tanging depensa na inilahad nila ay pagtatanggi doon sa pangyayari," Fadullon told the news outlet.
No bail has been recommended for the rape charge.
Muhlach recently dismissed claims that he agreed to a settlement amid his legal battle against GMA Network's independent contractors after some users asked whether he was paid for his silence.
"Hindi po ako binayaran and never po ako magpapabayad for settlement," he said in an Instagram story. "Wag niyo po pangunahan lahat. I will not be silenced."
Muhlach also told his followers to "just wait," as he has "more yet to reveal."
The Sparkle GMA artist's dispute with Nones and Cruz began in August when GMA disclosed that they received a formal complaint from him against the TV consultants, but the network did not specify the issue.
The next day, Muhlach and his father Niño went to the National Bureau of Investigation to formally file a sexual molestation complaint against Nones and Cruz. The actor returned to the NBI office four days later to submit additional documents before filing a rape case against the two suspects at the DOJ.
The issue became the subject of multiple Senate hearings, with Nones and Cruz in attendance. Nones was cited in contempt at one point and was placed under Senate custody for allegedly lying under oath.
The pair has yet to issue a statement on the DOJ's decision, but has been seeking to dismiss Muhlach's complaint, arguing that his evidence "is contrary to his allegations."
