Actress accused by maids of abuse ordered to attend hearing

Actress Maricel Soriano has been summoned by barangay (village) officials in Makati City to answer the complaint filed against her by two of her housemaids.

The two house helpers had accused her of physical and verbal abuse.

According to Michael Gonzales, Barangay Poblacion administrator, barangay chairman Benhur Cruz has ordered Soriano to attend a hearing at the barangay hall this afternoon.

A resident of Rizal Building in Rockwell, Soriano was warned that she may be barred from filing a counterclaim should she refuse or fail to appear at the hearing.

“But she has three chances [to appear],” Gonzales said, adding that the actress could not just send her lawyer. “She has to personally appear at the hearing.”

On June 30, May Cachuela, 22, and Camille Acojedo, 18, filed a complaint against Soriano with the barangay.

According to Cachuela, Soriano became angry and kicked her leg after she failed to arrange her clothes the way the actress wanted it.

Both claimed that Soriano would often curse them for no apparent reason.

Gonzales said that two other housemaids filed a complaint against Soriano in February but it was dismissed when they failed to pursue it.—Tina G. Santos