Senate urged to arrest abused maid's employers

MANILA, Philippines - Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada recommended yesterday that the Senate order the arrest of the former employers of a 21-year-old household helper, who said they physically abused her until she went blind and her face and body became disfigured.

Estrada directed that arrest orders be issued against couple Annaliza and Reynold Marzan after they failed to attend yesterday’s hearing conducted by the Senate committee on labor and employment.

“I’ve already cancelled the hearing last week because I was informed that they will not be able to attend last week’s hearing... The committee has no choice but to issue an order of arrest against them,” Estrada said.

The arrest orders are being circulated among the senators for signing before the Senate’s sergeant-at-arms enforces them.

Yesterday’s hearing became a confrontation between Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta and the Marzans’ lawyer, Jess Fernandez. The PAO has been assisting the victim, Bonita Baran, who has filed charges against the Marzans before a Quezon City court. 

Fernandez said he believes that the signs of abuse on Baran were self-inflicted, claiming that the helper used a flat iron on her own face and lost her teeth because she liked to chew hard objects and ice.

They are “taking us for fools,” Estrada said. “It’s a crazy defense. Unbelievable!”

Estrada expressed doubt that Annaliza was unable to attend yesterday’s hearing due to health reasons since her lawyer does not even know where she was confined.