Marzan couple files not guilty plea before QC court

Anna Liza and Reynaldo Marzan. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The couple, accused of locking up and maltreating their housemaid until she went blind, were brought yesterday before a Quezon City court clad in jail detainee shirts.

But couple Anna Liza and Reynold Marzan directed their lawyer Jose Ferrer to enter a not guilty plea for them before Judge Germano Francisco Legaspi  of Quezon City regional trial court branch 77.

The Marzans are facing a case of serious illegal detention before the said court.

But during the hearing, amendments to the information were raised pertaining to the names of the accused, where it was pointed out that “Annaliza” was supposed to be spelled separately while Reynold had two birth certificates with different Chinese middle names Tan and Wong.

Legaspi ordered the amendment on the information and Ferrer subsequently repleaded for his clients but waived the reading of the amended charge.

The couple’s lawyer filed the Marzan couple’s petition for bail claiming that they were deprived of the right to file their counter-affidavit, although late, for the preliminary investigation.

Ferrer likewise maintained that the Marzans are not flight risks because they voluntarily surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation.

He further said that the couple’s three minor children need to be personally attended to by their parents and reiterated Anna Liza Marzan’s kidney ailment.