Former actor Niño Muhlach published their official statement following the complaint they filed against Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz, both independent contractors under GMA Network.

In his statement, Niño asked his followers and friends for prayers and called the actions allegedly done by the two head writers of GMA towards his son, Sandro, ‘vile.’

“Our family has suffered so much because of the unspeakable and vile acts done to our son. We ask for your prayers to help us muster enough strength and courage to withstand the horror of re-living the dastardly acts of the perpetrators as we seek justice through our legal system,” said Niño.

“Thank you for all your support and kind words and your gracious gift of space. We truly appreciate it,” he added.

It can be recalled that the Muhlach family vowed that they would push the charges against Nones and Cruz.

Meanwhile, the camp of the two head writers said that they were saddened by the comments they were receiving on social media from the netizens who didn’t know the facts of the incident.

According to some reports, Nones and Cruz allegedly invited Sandro to visit their hotel room after the GMA Gala 2024.

Sandro was reportedly ‘forced’ by the two to drink a sleeping pill-laced drink to take advantage of him.

GMA Network’s ‘independent contractors’ Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz finally made a statement following the complaint made by Sparkle artist Sandro Muhlach against them.

In a statement released by Jojo and Richard’s legal counsel, Atty. Maggie Abraham-Garduque said that they were saddened by the criticism received by her clients despite not knowing yet the whole story behind the incident.

It can be recalled that Sandro accused Jojo and Richard of taking advantage of him after the GMA Gala 2024 at a hotel room where the event was held.

According to Atty. Magie, people should stop making baseless accusations against her clients and would only answer the allegations against them in the right place.

“Our clients are deeply saddened by the serious allegations hurled against them circulating on social media,” said Atty. Maggie. “We would like to reserve the right to respond in a proper forum when we receive a copy of the formal complaint,”

“For the meantime, we urge the public to respect the investigation being conducted on this case and we advise people who have no personal knowledge of the incident to refrain from posting baseless defamatory allegations and therefore unfairly subjecting both parties to publicity trial,” they added.

Nones was the creative consultant and head writer of some programs in GMA-7, while Cruz was also a head writer for some shows in the Kapuso network.

Until today, the cause of Kapuso actor Marky Cielo’s passing remains unclear. Still, many unofficial accounts circulated on social media to hint at how the 20-year-old actor had an untimely departure.

The story of Marky recirculated on social media amid the revelation made by Sparkle Artist Sandro Muhlach, who filed a complaint against two independent contractors and creative heads of GMA Network, Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz.

Some netizens theorized that Marky also experienced the same thing during his career, which prompted him to end his own life.

It can be recalled that in 2008, the actor passed away due to mysterious circumstances, which his family refused to divulge.

However, some reports about his last night hinted at what happened to him.

Marky spent his last day playing video games in an internet cafe in Quezon City.

After his gaming session, the actor went to his home and reportedly made several calls to his manager, but he never received an answer.

He then asked his mother for a discussion about a ‘private matter.’

His mother told him he was the only one who could solve his problem.

Several hours after he went into his room, Marky was found lifeless and was rushed to Antipolo Doctors Hospital, but he never arrived at the establishment alive.

Marky’s family never released the result of the autopsy report, which sparked several theories about his passing.

Some theories suggested that Marky and his manager had a problem, as the actor allegedly wanted to change his management.

There were also rumors before that he was allegedly being “taken care of” by an influential gay from the Kapuso Network, which is believed to be a reason why he didn’t lose any projects.

Aside from Sandro, former Kapuso artist Gerald Santos also claimed that he experienced being attempted to be taken advantage of by another influential figure in GMA.

Netizens who read Sandro and Gerald’s experience said that there was a possibility that Marky experienced the same thing in the network.

Gerald Santos couldn’t help but remember the bad memories during his stay at GMA Network.

It can be recalled that the netizens discussed Gerald’s experience with a musical director on GMA Network again amid the charges filed by Sparkle artist Sandro Muhlach against Kapuso creative directors Richard Cruz and Jojo Nones.

According to the reports, Gerald, who rose to stardom after winning the second season of Pinoy Pop Superstar, revealed that the musical director was already taking advantage of him even though he was still 15 at the time.

Gerald said the director started his attempt while still competing on the show.

“Ito pong taong ito, maimpluwensiya dun sa network. So sa pagre-refuse ko sa kanya, siguro po lumalim na po ‘yung ano… Kung baga naapektuhan na rin,” said Gerald.

He also narrated one of his experiences when the director invited him to Iloilo to perform with other singers.

However, he was surprised when he was the only one who arrived at the director’s house.

“Early flight po kasi, first flight kami… so nag-ask siya na, dahil maaga nga po para hindi ma-late, pinatulog niya ako sa bahay niya. Tapos ‘yun na po… nasa kwarto niya po [ako], nagulat po ako kasi isa lang ang kwarto,” he stated.

“Mga chancing-chancing… ‘yun na po ‘yun. Hindi po ako pumayag, kaya hindi po natuloy.” he stated.

When he revealed the incident to the higher-ups of GMA Network, he was only told to move on.

To make matters worse, his contract ended earlier.

“Ang nakaka-disappoint po kasi ang sagot lang po sa amin, ‘Just move on, matagal na ‘yun,” he said.

“Hindi pa po tapos ang kontrata ko, nagpa-release lang po kami. Kasi nga po, dahil sa nangyari na ‘to… As an artist po, gusto ko ring mag-grow. Dumating po sa point na hindi na po ako naggo-grow kasi hindi rin ako nabibigyan ng projects,” he added.

When the story went viral again, Gerald said that his bad memories resurfaced again.

He also expressed his support for Sandro, who already made a complaint against the two ‘independent contractors’ of GMA.

“Nagbalik ang sakit sa akin at hindi ko maiwasan maluha to imagine ang sinapit nya. My heart goes to Sandro and the whole Muhlach family,” said Gerald. “I was once in this situation but back then wala kang boses, walang social media. Unlike ngayon na nagkaroon na ng #MeToo movement,”

“But I will hold my head up high for standing up amidst tremendous pressure to just let go of what happened. I hope he gets the justice I was once denied of,” he added.

Talent manager and showbiz reporter Ogie Diaz revealed some of the information he received from the camp of GMA Network independent contractors Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz.

In his online program, Ogie divulged that Nones and Cruz allegedly said that what happened between them and Sparkle artist Sandro Muhlach was a case of mistaken identity.

According to Ogie, Nones and Cruz mistakenly thought Sandro was their ‘booking’ during the GMA Gala 2024.

The term booking was used to refer to someone paying a large amount of cash to someone in exchange for private moments with the client.

“Napagkamalang pa-booking ‘yong bata, na hindi naman,” said Ogie.

Ogie narrated that Nones and Cruz asked Sandro to visit their room after the event, which the actor heeded.

Sandro reportedly followed Nones and Cruz’s request because he considered them his uncles and didn’t expect that the officials had bad intentions toward him.

The talent manager also said that Nones and Cruz didn’t complete their plans after a delivery rider knocked on their door.

After opening the room, Sandro rushed outside to flee from the two.

As of the writing, Sandro’s camp has yet to respond to the story shared by Ogie.

Nones and Cruz were facing complaints from the actor.

Instead of receiving praise, some netizens criticized GMA reporter Arnold Clavio after he called out the people taking advantage of newbie artists.

In a social media post, Arnold said that it would be the right time for the showbiz industry to unite against the so-called ‘predators.’

“Sa ganitong situwasyon, ang predator ang may koneksyon o may protektor, para hindi magtagumpay ang anumang reklamo. Kailangan na itong matigil!!!” said Clavio.

However, some netizens raised their eyebrows after seeing Clavio’s statement, saying the reporter was also talking about himself.

It can be recalled that in 2020, former OFW and aspiring singer Sarah Balabagan admitted that Clavio impregnated her after being manipulated by him.

“Inaamin ko po na ang ama ng aking panganay ay si Arnold Clavio, alam ko po na nagkasala ako sa kanyang may bahay,” she said.

“Alam niyo po simula noong nagkaroon kami ng relasyon ni Arnold ang payo niya sakin lagi ay ‘walang aminan, kahit anong mangyari wag kang aamin, napaniwala niya ako,” she added.

Clavio didn’t make any statement nor respond to Balabagan’s story.

Balabagan became one of the top topics in the ’90s after she ended the life of her employer and initially received capital punishment.

However, due to the efforts of the government, Balabagan only received 100 lashes.

Clavio was one of the journalists who covered Balabagan’s story.

The showbiz industry faced one of its biggest controversies this year after two ‘independent contractors’ of GMA Network were accused of mistreating newbie artist Sandro Muhlach.

Several blind items tagged the suspects, Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz, as ‘executives’ of GMA Network, but the company insisted that they were only independent contractors.

It can be recalled that Sandro had already filed charges against Nones and Cruz, and his family was not considering any settlement between them.

But despite being an independent contractor, how powerful are Nones and Cruz in the network?

What is an Independent Contractor?

This is a term used by television networks to define a talent working for them without having any employer-employee relationship.

An independent contractor has no employment contract with a company, which means that Nones and Cruz were not employees of GMA Network.

They also enjoy independence and freedom from the control and supervision of their principal.

Position of Nones and Cruz

While they’re not directly hired by GMA Network, Nones and Cruz could be considered as powerful in the showbiz industry, handling big positions and shows.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Cruz was a creative head for the Afternoon Prime of GMA Network.

Meanwhile, Nones was a creative consultant and director on some GMA Network shows, including First Yaya.

Their decisions were a big factor in the show’s route and may even have influenced the program’s casting.

This means artists must maintain a good relationship with them to have a bountiful career in showbiz.

Sandro Muhlach’s stepmom also wrote a statement after the Kapuso actor was mentioned on the blind item involving two executives of GMA Network.

In a Facebook post, Diane Tupaz expressed her disappointment, saying they raised their son pure with love and care, not to be mistreated by others.

“PINALAKI AT ININGATAN NAMING MABUTI ANG AMING MGA ANAK NA PUNO NG PAGMAMAHAL AT PAG AARUGA TAPOS WAWALANG HIYAIN LANG NG MGA KUNG SINONG TAO NA NILAMON NG KADEMONYOHAN SA KATAWAN PARA MAGAWA YUNG GANUNG KLASENG KABABUYAN!” she wrote.

“HINDI KAMI MAKAKAPAYAG NA HINDI NAMIN MAKAKAMIT ANG HUSTISYA! HABANG BUHAY NA DADALHIN NG ANAK NAMIN YUNG KABABUYAN NA GINAWA NYO SA KANYA! WALA KAMING PAKIALAM KUNG SINO KAYO O KUNG SINO ANG POPROTEKTA SA INYO!” she added.

She also vowed to put the individuals she was mentioning behind bars.

“SISIGURADUHIN NAMIN NA PAGBABAYARAN NYO YUNG GINAWA NYO! HINDI NAMIN HAHAYAAN NA MAY MABIKTIMA PA KAYO NA IBA! ITUTULOY NAMIN ANG LABAN! MANAGOT ANG DAPAT MANAGOT! NAKAKA NGINIG KAYO NG LAMAN!” she stated.

It can be recalled that Sandro was named by social media personality Xian Gaza as the one who was being mentioned by publications about an actor who was ‘forced’ by two executives of GMA Network.

Ogie Diaz also confirmed the incident, saying that the actor was forcefully brought to the hotel room of the executives after the GMA Gala 2024.

Niño Muhlach published a cryptic post amid the spread of a blind item involving his son, Sandro.

In a Facebook post, Niño became tough with his message but didn’t mention any individual.

“INUMPISAHAN NYO, TATAPUSIN KO!” said Niño.

Niño’s friends and relatives who wrote their comments on the actor’s post gave a hint on the meaning of his post.

Most comments were about ‘justice’ and Sandro, who was named in some posts as a victim of two GMA Executives during the GMA Gala 2024.

It can be recalled that the two executives, Jojo Nones and Richard Dode, were named by internet personality Xian Gaza as the people being referred to on the blind items.

According to several reports, Niño was already planning to file charges against Nones and Dode.

Meanwhile, talent manager and showbiz reporter Ogie Diaz denied the claims that the incident didn’t happen.

“Juice ko, yung ginawa sa biktima, parang nagbabasa ka lang ng Xerex sa Abante nu’ng araw kung ilalarawan mo. Try to imagine,” said Ogie.

“Basta ang premise, hindi gusto ng biktima ang ginagawa sa kanya kahit nakikiusap siya na ‘wag please, hinahanap na po ako ng girlfriend ko.’” he added.

Ogie also confirmed that the father of the said celebrity already hired a lawyer to handle the case.

Social media personality Xian Gaza made a huge revelation after he namedropped the executives allegedly being referred on a blind item about a newbie actor.

It can be recalled that several newspapers published a blind item about a newbie actor who was allegedly ‘forced’ by two executives from GMA Network after the GMA Gala 2024.

The incident happened in one of the rooms of the hotel where the event was held.

Face Reveal. Para ito sa mga Mosangs na cringe pag ang chika focused sa victim. Ayan mga beshies, may fez na mga alleged rapists.
byu/iPLAYiRULE inChikaPH

According to Xian, the actor was Sandro Mulach, and the executives were Jojo Nones and Richard Dode.

The names of the said individuals were also mentioned in several posts on social media.

Xian said the network insisted that the two executives were only independent contractors and not directly employed by the company.

“Napilitang umamats si lalaki tapos noong anes na eh dinala siya sa kwarto ng dalawang GMA Executive,” said Xian.

GMA already released a statement and vowed to investigate the accusations against the two.

“Online articles and posts have recently circulated regarding an alleged incident involving an artist and independent contractors of GMA Network,” the statement read.

“We have yet to receive a formal complaint from those allegedly involved in the issue. Should one be filed, the Network is committed to conducting a thorough and impartial investigation. We assure the public that GMA Network takes such matters with utmost seriousness,” they added.

Meanwhile, netizens were waiting for the two executives to speak about the issue.