Niño Muhlach’s wife defends actor after crash victim's accusations

Niño Muhlach's wife, Diane Abby Tupaz, defended her husband after motorcycle rider Nicolas Villanueva publicly called him out over the damage to his motorcycle in a road accident in Antipolo City.

Villanueva aired his frustration on Sunday, September 13, saying he had been unable to return to work since the August 23 crash and was still waiting for his motorcycle to be replaced.

“Sir NIÑO MUHLACH pangatlong linggo na po. Parang binabalewala na po ninyo yung nangyari sakin. Ang galing galing niyong mangako ‘pag may camera. Wala pala kayong isang salita sa mga sinasabi niyo. Di pa ako nakakapag trabaho dahil sa nangyari sakin, pati motor ko di niyo parin pinapalitan,” Villanueva wrote in a now-deleted post.

Tupaz disputed the impression created by the posts circulating online that Muhlach had done nothing to help Villanueva following the accident.

“Yung post na kumakalat eh parang pinapalabas na wala man lang ginawang tulong si Niño Muhlach sa taong naperwisyo nya sa aksidente. HINDI YAN TOTOO!” she wrote. 

Tupaz acknowledged that she probably should not have responded publicly but said she could not stay silent because she felt the need to defend her husband.

She explained that Muhlach had been assisting Villanueva and his family, particularly while he was recovering in the hospital.

“Sa taong na-hospital na si Nicolas Villanueva, araw araw sinisiguro ni Niño na natututukan ng mga doctor si Nicolas and naibibigay sa kanya lahat ng gamot na kailangan nya,” she added.

Tupaz also said Muhlach had been providing the family with money for food, groceries and transportation. Villanueva’s daughter, she added, had also received money for her school allowance.

“And yung sa ‘motor’ huwag ho kayong mag alala kasi siguradong mabibigyan yan ng kapalit, hindi naman tatakas si Niño ng dahil lang sa motor,” she said.

The complaint stemmed from the August 23 accident along Marcos Highway in Antipolo City, Rizal.

Muhlach, 54, was driving an SUV when it crossed into the opposite lane and crashed into several roadside establishments, including an eatery. The vehicle also hit a bystander who was eating at the roadside establishment, with Villanueva among those affected by the crash.

Initial police statements pointed to possible mechanical failure as a factor in the accident.

Muhlach later said the crash was “entirely his fault,” explaining that he had fallen asleep while driving because of an extremely demanding and exhausting schedule.

He also said his regular driver was off that Sunday, which was why he ended up driving himself.

Villanueva was brought to a hospital following the accident. Muhlach personally visited him and said the victim had suffered bruises and cuts on his legs but had no fractures.

The actor also apologized to Villanueva and his family and said he would continue supporting his recovery.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) subsequently issued a show-cause order (SCO) against Muhlach and imposed a 90-day preventive suspension on his driver’s license.

The SUV involved in the crash was also placed under alarm status.