Independent contractors of GMA Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz did not attend the hearing at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday in relation to the criminal complaint filed against them by Sparkle artist Sandro Muhlach. According to Glen Juego's report for DZBB Super Radyo , the two respondents were represented by their lawyer, Atty. Maggie Garduque, at the hearing.
Garduque submitted Nones and Cruz's joint counter affidavit and denied the allegations of sexual abuse against her clients. Garduque also said that Nones and Cruz's mental and physical health have been affected due to the judgment they've received on social media. A second Senate hearing will be held on Monday in relation to the criminal case filed by Sandro against Nones and Cruz.
It has yet to be confirmed whether Nones and Cruz will attend. "As of now po, kakausapin ko pa lang po sila regarding [sa Senate hearing], so I'll check on them regarding that," said Garduque. Actor Niño Muhlach also spoke to the media and shared that his son Sandro is experiencing depression and is going through a psychological evaluation.
Per Juego's report, there is no rush for Sandro to return to work in GMA Network. Should he choose not to return to showbiz, the Muhlachs have a family business that's already being managed by him. On Wednesday, Muhlach burst into tears at the hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media regarding abuse and harassment in the mass media industry as he recalled ho.