Employers of abused maid in Mindoro must be penalized, says Estrada

Senator Jinggoy Estrada (File photo by Joseph B. Vidal/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Even if Elvie Vergara has committed theft, her employers must still be sanctioned for the severe battery and maltreatment the helper suffered.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada issued the statement about the 44-year-old maid who became blind and suffered multiple injuries after being allegedly abused by her employers in Occidental Mindoro.

“The people Elvie served for six years have no place in society,” Estrada said in a statement on Monday.

“Even if the alleged maid has committed theft, legal action or competent justice should prevail. We should not take the law into our hands,” the lawmaker added.

According to Estrada, Vergara was accused of stealing P12,000 in cash and a watch worth P15,000.

The theft allegedly prompted the employers to hurt Vergara in the last three years, causing her partial blindness and other traumas.

He also recalled the similarity of Vergara’s case to Bonita Baran’s, a domestic helper.

Baran is said to have lost her sight due to the abusive acts of her employers.

Senate committee on justice and human rights is set to conduct an inquiry into the case of Vergara on Tuesday, August 22, to be presided over by Senator Francis Tolentino.

Tolentino is studying the possibility of filing a measure to impose stiffer penalties against abusive employers.

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