MANILA — A Pasay court has dismissed the acts of lasciviousness case filed by actor Sandro Muhlach against Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz, citing legal redundancy with the ongoing rape case filed against them.
Court Ruling: Acts of Lasciviousness Absorbed in Rape Case
In a decision from the Pasay Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 46, the judge ruled that the acts of lasciviousness charges were already covered under the rape case currently being tried at the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC).
“The acts of lasciviousness before this court are necessarily included in the charge of rape before the Regional Trial Court.”
The court further stated that the prosecution’s move to file separate cases for acts of lasciviousness amounted to “overkill”, as the alleged acts were simultaneous and intended for the same purpose.
Legal Reactions
- Muhlach’s camp has not yet issued a statement on the dismissal.
- Maggie Abraham-Garduque, lawyer for Nones and Cruz, welcomed the decision, saying:
“We are happy that the court saw the legal infirmity that we had been raising at the onset of the case.”
Background of the Case
- August 2024: Muhlach filed a rape and acts of lasciviousness complaint against Nones and Cruz, alleging they molested him and introduced him to illegal drugs after the GMA Gala in July 2024.
- October 2024: The Department of Justice (DOJ) formally filed criminal charges for rape through sexual assault against the two defendants.
- February 2025: The acts of lasciviousness charge was dismissed, but the rape case continues.
What’s Next?
While this dismissal marks a legal win for Nones and Cruz, the more serious rape charges remain ongoing at the Pasay RTC. Muhlach’s legal team may still respond to the court’s decision in the coming days.