Senator Jinggoy Estrada has communicated with Senate President Chiz Escudero to express his willingness to support the recommendation of lifting the contempt order against Jojo Nones, an independent contractor accused of sexual abuse. This development follows a letter of apology from Nones addressed to Estrada.
On August 19, 2024, Senator Estrada, serving as Senate President Pro Tempore, lost his temper due to what he described as the continued dishonesty of Nones. The incident occurred during an ongoing investigation led by the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media concerning the complaints filed by Sandro, the 23-year-old son of actor Niño Muhlach.
Jojo Nones, along with Richard “Dode” Cruz, both suspended independent contractors from GMA-7, are facing charges of rape through sexual assault and acts of lasciviousness. The accusations were brought forth by Sandro, sparking significant public and legal interest.
Estrada’s frustration stemmed from the numerous opportunities he had given Nones, to tell the truth during the Senate hearings. Despite repeated attempts to extract a truthful account, Nones steadfastly denied all the allegations made by Sandro. This denial included rejecting claims that he and Cruz had offered a donation to a charitable institution of Muhlach’s choosing in exchange for the withdrawal of the sexual abuse complaint filed by Sandro.
As a result of Nones’ continued denials, Estrada decided to cite him for contempt, a move that underscored the senator’s growing impatience with what he perceived as Nones’ refusal to cooperate with the investigation. The contempt citation was intended to compel Nones to be more forthcoming with his testimony, but it also reflected the intense pressure surrounding the case.
However, following Nones’ written apology to Estrada, the senator signaled a change in his stance. In his letter to Senate President Escudero, Estrada expressed that he would not oppose the lifting of the contempt order against Nones, indicating a potential shift towards reconciliation or at least a de-escalation of the tensions surrounding the case.
Independent contractor na inireklamo ng sexual abuse si Jojo Nones palalayain na ng senado ngayon makaraang tanggapin ni Sen Pres Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada ang pag so sorry nito sa dahil sa kanyan inasal sa pagsagot sa mga tanong ng senador. @dwiz882 pic.twitter.com/B4g0rSFlxV
— cely bueno (@blcb) August 28, 2024
The case continues to attract attention as the Senate investigates the serious allegations against Nones and Cruz, with the public closely watching the developments in this high-profile legal drama. The outcome of the investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings will be of great interest to those following the story.