Househelp charged with theft

CEBU, Philippines - A 39-year old househelp was indicted for allegedly stealing the jewelry and other valuables of her employer.

The Talisay City Prosecutor’s Office found probable cause to hold Emma Oliva, resident of Inayagan, Naga City, for trial on charges of qualified theft.

State prosecutor Mary Ann Castro elevated the case before the Regional Trial Court based on the evidence at hand after the accused failed to submit her counter-affidavit.

Oliva is required to pay P80,000 bail for her temporary liberty.

Rosevilla Hemphill, resident of Talisay City, earlier filed the complaint against Oliva for allegedly stealing P753,400 worth of jewelry on September 18, 2012.

Hemphill said the accused left her house while she was in the United States. Hemphill said her sister and brother-in-law called her up in the US to inform that the accused left the house with 29 pieces of jewelry.

Oliva was issued subpoena and was ordered to submit her counter-affidavit. But despite the ample time given to her to answer the complaint, she failed prompting Castro to resolve the complaint based on the evidence submitted by the complainant.—/FPL (FREEMAN)