MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-NCR) is seeking custody of the 17-year-old housemaid allegedly mauled by Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla’s sister, Princess.

The DSWD asked the Mandaluyong court to declare Renalyn Arota, Revilla’s former housemaid, under involuntary commitment to the agency.

In Thursday’s hearing at the Mandaluyong regional trial court, the agency presented its evidence and DSWD-NCR head Evangelina Lawas and Arota as witnesses.

Yvonne Gaddi-Festejo, Arota’s lawyer, said involuntary commitment meant the court would remove the parental authority of Arota’s parents under specified circumstances.

The DSWD and pro bono lawyers Festejo and Irene Alogoc are representing Arota in her case for alleged mauling charges against Revilla.

Last Wednesday, Arota’s mother Erminia filed a motion to intervene in her daughter’s case against Revilla of violations of the Anti-Child Abuse Law (Republic Act 7610) and the Anti-Child Labor Act (R.A. 9321).

The motion also asked the Pasig court to prohibit lawyers Festejo and Alogoc, and the DSWD from representing her 17-year-old daughter saying she, as mother, was “most interested in the welfare of her child.”

In a statement sent to the Inquirer Thursday, Alogoc said the elder Arota’s motion to intervene had no bearing on the criminal case against Revilla (real name: Rebecca Bautista- Ocampo) and only invited distrust.

Under Presidential Decree No. 603 or the Child and Youth Welfare Code, a child considered under the law as “emotionally neglected” is handed over to the DSWD, taking away from the parents authority over the child.

Arota, Festejo said, was considered under the law to be an emotionally neglected child due to the alleged maltreatment she received from Revilla.

Arota reportedly escaped from Revilla’s house and was handed over to the DSWD for proper care.

Alogoc said the preliminary investigation being conducted was merely intended to determine if there was probable cause to file a case in court.

She said it was not the proper forum for the elder Arota’s request to transfer custody of her daughter to the parent. The lawyer said, “Renalyn is disappointed by what her family is doing.”

Alogoc said the “suspicious moves” of Arota’s mother only magnified Renalyn’s determination to pursue her case against her former employer.

Alogoc reiterated she and Festejo could not be removed as counsels of Renalyn.

“It is clear under R.A. 7610 and R.A. 9321 that the offended party, the minor, may initiate the filing of the cases and Renalyn herself engaged our services, evidenced by an Entry of Appearance signed by Renalyn and the DSWD,” Alogoc said.

Even the DSWD’s protective custody of Renalyn was provided for in R.A. 7610, she added.