A new case of alleged abuse against an independent contractor of TV5 has been brought to the attention of Senator Raffy Tulfo. A 22-year-old talent and news researcher from TV5 sought help from Tulfo’s popular radio program, Wanted Sa Radyo, on the afternoon of Friday, August 9, 2024.
The young talent filed a complaint against Cliff Gingco, a program manager in TV5’s News and Current Affairs department, accusing him of sexual abuse. To protect the complainant’s identity and reputation, only the talent’s voice was heard as Tulfo interviewed him about the incident.
The complainant revealed that he had started working as a researcher for the TV5 program Budol Alert just recently, on July 15, 2024. According to him, the abuse occurred on July 23, 2024, at a hotel in Pasig City.
The talent recounted that Gingco had invited him for drinks at a bar in Poblacion, Makati City. The situation took a dark turn when the talent became heavily intoxicated, leaving him unable to resist Gingco’s alleged advances in a hotel room.
The talent narrated the incident: “Dahil puro suka na po [ang damit ko], sabi niya po, ‘hubarin mo na.’ So, ako naman, hinubad ko na rin po, kasi wala naman pong malisya dahil parehas naman po kaming lalaki. Hinubad ko na rin po yung pants ko tapos dumiretso na po ako sa kama. Kasi nga po, lasing na lasing na po ako.”
THE ALLEGED INCIDENT
As the talent lay on the bed, he described the abuse that followed: “Nung nakahiga na po ako, nung natutulog na ako, dun ko naramdaman na hinahawak-hawakan niya po yung ano ko. Hindi po ako makalaban dahil lasing na lasing po ako talaga noon. Hinawak-hawakan niya po yung ari ko tapos ini-stroke niya po. Pinipilit rin niya po na ipahawak yung ari niya. Isinubo rin niya po yung sa akin.”
The talent broke down in tears while recounting the traumatic experience. “Hindi ko na rin po malabanan kasi nga ho sobrang hina ko noon. Ang kaya ko na lang pong gawin, hindi ko po hawakan yung ari po niya.”
TV5 Issues Statement on Alleged Incident
In response to the serious allegations, TV5 has issued a statement acknowledging the report and affirming that an internal investigation is underway. The network emphasized its commitment to upholding a safe and respectful workplace for all its employees and contractors.
This incident bears a striking resemblance to the ongoing case involving Sandro Muhlach, where the actor is entangled in a legal battle against two independent contractors of GMA Network. As public attention remains fixed on Muhlach’s case, this new allegation adds to the mounting concerns about workplace abuse within the entertainment industry.
Senator Tulfo’s program continues to provide a platform for victims seeking justice, as more individuals come forward with their stories of abuse.
Nako Nako