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Independent contractors Jojo Nones and Dode Cruz will not attend the Senate hearing tomorrow, August 7, according to a statement by their lawyer Atty. Maggie Abraham-Garquque.

Senator Robin Padilla said during the plenary session on Monday, August 5, that the Senate wishes to investigate the sexual harassment complaint filed by Sandro Muhlach. Robin, who will lead the investigation of the Senate committee on public information and mass media, said they wanted to clear up the sexual harassment complaint filed by Sandro Muhlach against Nones and Cruz. In connection with this, the panel will also invite the network's representatives to the hearing.

On Fast Talk with Boy Abunda on Tuesday, August 6, Boy Abunda revealed that they reached out to Atty. Garquque who confirmed that they received an invitation from the Senate.

In a statement, she said, “Most importantly, they are respondents in a criminal case filed against them by Mr. Sandro Muhlach, which is currently being investigated by NBI. They might be questioned during the hearing in the senate which may be tantamount to cross-examination during trial of the case which usually happens to an accused in court when our clients have not even been indicted before the prosecutor's office for alleged sexual abuse being filed by Mr. Muhlach. At any rate, as I said, criminal investigation has already been conducted with regards to the case of our clients.

“I will not be in Manila tomorrow but as regards my client they will not attend. There is an invitation for them to attend and join in the discussion on the 'Policies of Television Networks and Artist Management Agencies in Relation to Complaints of Abuse and Harassment.' This is the topic daw. So basically the Senate will discuss the policies of TV networks and talent agencies on handling complaints. Our clients are not [employees] of GMA Network or Sparkle Artist Center, therefore they do not have personal knowledge of the policies of said network and talent agency,” she continued in her statement.

Source: gmanetwork/YT

According to Boy Abunda, they also reached out to Sandro to confirm if he or his camp will attend the senate hearing, but have not made any response yet as of writing.