MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Senate panel on public information and mass media believe there is “strong evidence” against Sandro Muhlach’s alleged abusers Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz.
After an executive session on Monday, panel head Sen. Robin Padilla said during a public hearing that his committee came up with the decision.
“Kanina po na nag-executive session kami; nagpapasalamat po kami sa mga partido na nakausap namin at nadesisyunan po ng komite na tunay po na sa tingin namin meron pong kaukulan na dahilan para mai-file yung kaso,” said Padilla.
(Earlier we had an executive session; we thank each party that we talked to and the committee decided that based on our judgment, we think that there is ample reason for the case to be filed.)
“Pero syempre po, sa katulad po ng sinasabi namin — hindi naman po kami korte. [Sa] amin pong palagay, itong aming pagdinig kailangan syempre may boses ang lahat. Pero doon po sa naganap na executive session, malinaw po na sa aming pagkakaintindi, ito po ay dapat makarating sa dapat karatingan,” he added.
(But of course, similar to what we have been saying, this is not a trial court. Based on our point of view, in this hearing of course everyone has a voice. But during the executive session, it’s clear in our understanding, this should be raised to the proper forum.)
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Estrada, who was also present during the hearing, backed Padilla’s remarks. He, however, refrained from divulging details discussed during the executive session.
“Based on the discussions earlier during the executive session, and of course, we cannot divulge yet the details of what transpired during the executive session — but what we all transpired and agreed, together with Senators Revilla, Padilla, Poe, and Sen. Bato dela Rosa — there is strong evidence against these two gentlemen,” said Estrada.
Estrada said the panel would “just withhold all the information until all pieces of evidence to be gathered by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are in.”
He said they have given NBI two days to “receive the pieces of evidence” in relation to the incident. No other details were disclosed.
Prior to the conduct of the executive session, Nones and Cruz already denied the allegations being hurled against them.
In a joint statement they read during the chamber’s proceedings, they admitted to being gay but maintained that they are not abusers.
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“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.)