Estrada apologizes for harsh questioning on sexual abuse

Senator Jinggoy Estrada faced criticism from netizens for his perceived harsh questioning during a Senate hearing on sexual abuse in the entertainment industry.

At the hearing on August 19, Sandro Muhlach and Gerald Santos testified about their experiences of sexual assault at GMA Network with incidents occurring 19 years apart.

Estrada apologized for his interpellation during the hearing on Thursday, stating that it was never his intention to victim-blame or humiliate those who came forward.

In a Kapihan sa Senado forum on Friday, Estrada further clarified that his questioning stemmed from frustration over long-standing systemic issues in the industry and not an intent to blame victims.

Estrada emphasized that he condemns all forms of sexual abuse regardless of gender and is willing to face criticism if it leads to more awareness and action against such abuses across various sectors.