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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Dismissal of acts of lasciviousness complaint won't affect rape case vs Sandro Muhlach's alleged abusers, says Estrada

Dismissal of acts of lasciviousness complaint won't affect rape case vs Sandro Muhlach's alleged abusers, says Estrada

Published Feb 13, 2025 08:31 am

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada on Thursday, February 13, said the dismissal of Sandro Muhlach’s case of acts of lasciviousness against Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz, two independent contractors of GMA Network, does not in any way diminish the rape charges that is pending before another court.


Estrada pointed this out as he also noted that the decision released by the Pasay Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 46 is based merely on a technicality.


“The dismissal of Sandro Muhlach’s case of acts of lasciviousness against the two GMA independent contractors is based on a mere technicality and does not, in any way, diminish the gravity of a more serious charges, rape case, he filed which is pending before a separate court in Pasay,” Estrada said.


Despite this development, the senator said he remains supportive and will stand up for victims of abuse whether they belong to other industries.


“Naninindigan ako para sa mga biktima ng pang-aabuso, hindi lamang ng mga taga-industriya sa telebisyon at pelikula na kinabibilangan ko (I stand up for victims of abuse, not just the people in the television and film industry that I belong to),” he said.


“Nasabi ko na ito noon at uulitin ko, hinding-hindi ko kukunsintihin ang pang-aabuso ng may kapangyarihan sa industriya (I've said it before and I'll say it again, I will never tolerate abuse by those in power in the industry),” the lawmaker stressed.


“As the legal proceedings continue, I urge all parties to allow the courts to decide fairly and impartially. I remain hopeful that justice will eventually be served,” Estrada said.


In its decision, the Pasay Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 46 stated that the acts of lasciviousness filed before it are already included in the rape charge that the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed against Nones and Cruz at the Pasay City Regional Trial Court for the alleged sexual abuse of Muhlach.


Rape is a non-bailable offense, punishable by 20 years to life imprisonment, whereas acts of lasciviousness carry a penalty of six months to six years of imprisonment.


The 23-year old Muhlach testified before a Senate inquiry last year where he detailed the alleged sexual abuse he experienced perpetrated by Nones and Cruz in a Pasay hotel last July 21, 2024 or after the gala night organized by the GMA Network.

Related Tags

Rape Sandro Muhlach acts of lasciviousness Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
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