DOJ clears Korina

The Department of Justice (DOJ) cleared yesterday broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez of charges of violating labor laws when her maid complained that she failed to remit her contributions to the Social Security System from October to December 2001.

"Under the circumstances obtaining, we find no scintilla of evidence to support a finding of probable cause. There being none, Sanchez cannot be indicted for the offenses charged," State Prosecutor Roberto Lao stated in his resolution.

Lao, along with Prosecution Attorney Mark Jalandoni, stated in their eight-page resolution that househelp Bernardita Inocencio’s complaints are not that credible. "The narrative of her complaint doesn’t speak well of the truth – far from it."

"Allegation alone is not proof. Simply stated, an accusation can be made with relative facility and in the absence of a more reliable and definitive evidence to establish the acts complained of, Sanchez’s indictment cannot be sustained," they stressed.

If Inocencio was indeed suffering maltreatment from Sanchez, allegedly in the form of verbal abuse, then she could have reported the "acrimonious attitude and contemptible character" to her agency, MAIDS Inc.

"There is nothing on record to corroborate Inocencio’s accusation that Sanchez unlawfully withheld her monthly salary either by force or intimidation save for her unsubstantiated imputations," the DOJ ruled.

As for the remittance of SSS contributions, the prosecutors said SSS Diliman branch head Elizabeth Reyes had certified that Sanchez remitted the contributions for October to December 2001, although belatedly. Sanchez even paid the penalty for such.

"What is being penalized is the failure or refusal to remit which carries the notion of a continuing offense or permanency in character. This fact (late payment) alone, however, does not militate heavily against Sanchez," the fiscals reasoned out.

Sanchez had branded as mere fabrications and lies the charges her maid lodged against her, saying the nanny just wanted to destroy her image as a tough and credible broadcaster.

"The allegations that I was a cruel employer, that I made life difficult for her and verbally abused her, that she left my employ because I maltreated her are all fabrications and lies," Sanchez stated in one of her counter-affidavits.

Sanchez also contended that Inocencio’s allegations were "so crafted to destroy" her image. "It is unbelievable that a visible and rated radio and TV journalist like me would risk a good reputation being damaged by a measly few thousand pesos."

Inocencio filed a case of slight physical injuries against Sanchez before the Makati court in connection with the reported cake-throwing incident that involved Sanchez and the nanny, done inside the residence of Paul Aquino, Sanchez’s alleged paramour.

"I have paid complainant’s salary in full, the last of which was the amount of P3,000 which was paid to her on Dec. 21, 2001, when she abandoned her work having been confronted with the theft of my diamond bracelet and after she had committed some violent acts in the residence of a friend, Paul Aquino on Dec. 21," Sanchez said. — Delon Porcalla