Sandro Muhlach testifies before Pasay court vs. independent contractors

Actor Sandro Muhlach testified before the Pasay Regional Trial Court - Branch 114 on Wednesday in relation to the sexual assault case he filed against independent contractors Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz.

In an interview with John Consulta for GMA Integrated News, Sandro said that although he was not able to finish his testimony, a weight has been lifted off his chest.

"Nag-testify na po ako kanina. Hindi nga lang po natapos pero we're one stop closer to justice. Malapit na rin 'to, matatapos na 'to," he said.

"Sobrang gumaan din 'yung loob ko pero hindi pa tapos, meron pang hearing. Mas makakamit ko pa 'yung justice kung nasabi ko na ang lahat ng kailangan ko sabihin pero ngayon hindi pa, pero malapit na tayo dun."

He added that other important details will be included in the next hearing.

According to Sandro, the opportunity to testify in court was a long time coming as it has been about nine months since his alleged sexual assault occurred.  

"Ang tagal din ng hinintay namin, buong family namin. Ang dami naming pinagdadaanan because of this pero ito na malapit na. This is the time makakabawi na tayo and makakamit ko na 'yung justice para sa akin."

Six representatives from the National Bureau of Investigation and its Behavioral Science Division stood as his witnesses earlier, according to Sandro. He added that their support is "very important" because they were the ones he reported the incident to after it happened.

"Sa kanila ako nagsumbong, sila ang nag-alaga sa 'kin for the whole six months na nag-t-therapy ako sa kanila, so malaki utang na loob ko sa NBI, dahil sila 'yung nag-alaga sa 'kin at tinututukan nila ako palagi, kaya maraming-maraming salamat sa NBI," he said.

While he isn't fully healed yet from the incident, he said he does not feel alone, thanks to the support of his parents, Niño Muhlach and Edith Millare, and his girlfriend. He also extended his gratitude ot the Department of Justice.

"Lahat sila andiyan lang sa tabi ko. Hindi ko na-feel na magisa ako kasi andiyan sila sa tabi ko and I'm really thankful din sa DOJ, sa fiscal, tinulungan po nila ako na makamit ko 'yung tamang hustisya para sa 'kin."

In February, the Pasay RTC Branch 114 denied Nones and Cruz's motion to quash the rape through sexual assault case filed by Sandro.

Their lawyer, Atty. Maggie Abraham-Garduque, said the two accused pleaded not guilty during the arraignment.

"As usual, hindi okay sa kanila itong case na ito (this case is not okay with them) but they are still fighting for this case because they still will prove their innocence with respect to the case that's been filed against them,” Abraham-Garduque had said.

— CDC/VDV, GMA Integrated News