Alleged maid abusers, witnesses agree to lie detector test

HOUSEHELP EMPLOYERS ATTEND SENATE INQUIRY: France and Pablo Ruiz deny they battered and maltreated their househelp, Elvie Vergana, which resulted in the latter’s partial blindness and other injuries during the continuation of the Senate inquiry on the matter Tuesday, September 5, 2023. (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — The couple who allegedly abused domestic helper Elvie Vergara and two witnesses agreed to undergo a lie detector test as the Senate continues its investigation on the maid’s reported maltreatment by her employers.

Senator Raffy Tulfo introduced the use of the polygraph test during Tuesday’s hearing of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, as Pablo and France Ruiz maintained they did not exploit Vergara while she was part of their household staff in Occidental Mindoro.

“Payag ba kayo sumailalim sa polygraph test kayong dalawa? Kung nagsasabi kayo ng totoo o hindi?” Senator Raffy Tulfo asked.

(Are you both willing to undergo a polygraph test? Whether you are telling the truth or not?)

“The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) polygraph division is about to arrive; we have directed the NBI to produce a polygraph machine before the committee,” Senator Francis Tolentino, chair of the justice and human rights panel, interjected.

READ: Senate probes maltreatment of ‘kasambahay’ Elvie Vergara

France initially agreed on the condition that witnesses on Vergara’s side would also undergo the exam.

But this irked Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who retorted: “Ikaw ang tinatanong eh o asawa mo (It is you or your spouse being asked), answer!”

France insisted that she would only do the test if witnesses agreed to do it, too.

“Tinutulungan namin kayo. Kung nagsasabi kayo ng totoo at kung talagang wala kayong tinatago, you will say yes. At maaaring ito ang magbigay linaw sa aming lahat na maari ngang inosente kayo. Pero [sa] pagtanggi niyo lumilitaw na meron kayo tinatago,” Tulfo insisted.

READ: Maid’s ex-employer cites her poor hygiene, denies abuse accusations

(We are helping you. If you are telling the truth and have nothing to hide, you will say yes. And this may make it clear to us that you may indeed be innocent. But [in] your refusal, it appears that you are hiding something.)After repeated prodding by senators, the Ruiz couple agreed to do the polygraph test.

Tulfo subsequently asked witnesses JM (not his real name) and Patrick Simbaon to likewise undergo the lie detector test. JM and Simbaon were considered witnesses to Vergara’s alleged exploration; even principal witness Jay-Ar “Dodong” Dimenez claimed the two also abused the domestic helper.

READ: Gunman attacks witness in alleged abused maid’s case, PNP launches manhunt

“In the name of fairness, gusto ko rin mag-lie detector test ang nandito sa kanila, JM and Patrick Simbaon (I also want JM and Patrick Simbaon to take the lie detector test): yes or no?” the senator asked.

JM and Simbaon accepted Tulfo’s proposal.

kga/abc