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Several celebrities and public figures have voiced strong criticism regarding the Senate’s handling of a recent hearing into sexual abuse allegations involving Sandro Muhlach and Gerald Santos.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada has come under fire for his perceived “harsh” and “insensitive” questioning during the Senate committee on public information and mass media hearing held on August 19, 2024.
The hearing featured testimonies from Muhlach and Santos, who detailed their experiences of sexual assault by different individuals affiliated with GMA Network over the past 19 years.
Estrada’s questioning, which led Muhlach and Santos to recount their traumatic experiences, drew significant backlash from netizens. Santos disclosed that he was raped as a minor by a former musical director at GMA Network, but Estrada’s approach was criticized for its apparent lack of empathy.
Singer-activist Leah Navarro took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her dismay, asking, “Can someone please explain why Jinggoy is questioning this poor kid in that manner? Bakit siya parang naiinis at nagagalit? Is he trying to intimidate this kid?”
Can someone please explain why Jinggoy is questioning this poor kid in that manner? Bakit siya parang naiinis at nagagalit? Is he trying to intimidate this kid? https://t.co/yKivHxjQht
— Leah Navarro (@leahnavarro) August 20, 2024
Broadcast journalist Karen Davila also condemned the treatment of the victims, urging lawmakers to show more compassion. “To our lawmakers, stop victim blaming. Treat victims with compassion and sensitivity. Reliving a traumatic experience is horrific, more so in a public hearing,” Davila wrote. She criticized the focus on why the victims did not report the abuse sooner, highlighting that such questions can further traumatize victims.
To our lawmakers,
Stop victim blaming.
Treat victims with compassion and sensitivity. Reliving a traumatic experience is horrific, more so in a public hearing.
Stop barraging, asking “why did it take you 5 years? You should’ve filed a complaint immediately”. Victims are… https://t.co/SXH2iK2RVZ
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) August 20, 2024
Actor John Arcilla expressed support for Davila’s comments, tweeting, “I go with @iamkarendavila. All in favor please share.”
I go with @iamkarendavila All in favor please share.@abscbnpr @abscbn @gmanetwork @gmanews @tv5manila pic.twitter.com/3O7zJmFxwe
— John Arcilla official (@JohnArcilla) August 21, 2024
The Senate’s handling of the case has led to widespread disappointment among netizens, who have expressed their dismay particularly towards Senator Estrada. Many feel that the treatment of the victims failed to reflect the sensitivity and respect necessary for such serious allegations.
Senators like Jinggoy Estrada, Robin Padilla, Bato, Villar etc SHOULD NOT BE IN PUBLIC OFFICE.
Jinggoy had the audacity to be angry at the victim for asking just the minimum of respect and privacy…grabe nakakatrigger. Wag na ganitong senators please, PH. hayy https://t.co/f7kEWOHGo5— livandpeter (@livandpeter) August 19, 2024
The arrogance displayed by nepo babies Jinggoy and Sara further justifies why political dynasties must be abolished. There’s no way this country should be dominated by parasitic families who act high and mighty even when they belong to the pits of hell.
— Benok Castillo (@benok_castillo) August 20, 2024
This is very triggering. These senators should undergo trauma sensitivity seminars/sessions. Imagine being asked about traumatic details and when you hesitate to answer because obviously unpleasant/traumatizing, you’re told “you’re wasting my time tigilan na natin to”. GAGO KA BA https://t.co/SkiClpcltB
— Claudiopoi #StopKillingPalestinians!!! (@claudiopoy) August 19, 2024
Senator Estrada has yet to respond to the criticism. Previously, he cited Jojo Tawasil Nones, one of the GMA contractors accused by Sandro Muhlach, for contempt after Nones denied offering a donation to a charity selected by Sandro’s father, actor Niño Muhlach, as a settlement.
Nones, along with Richard Dode Cruz, faces an administrative complaint filed by Sandro Muhlach with both GMA and the Department of Justice (DOJ).
