Senator seeks arrest warrant vs employer’s daughter over abused helper

The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights on Tuesday sought the issuance of an arrest warrant against a member of the family who allegedly abused their helper in Mindoro.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada sought the warrant against the 18-year-old daughter of the family during the committee’s hearing on the abuse suffered by Elvie Vergara, noting that the family had been invited to testify.

“I move that we subpoena this 18-year-old daughter of the spouses… or they have already been invited, maybe I stand corrected, issue a warrant of arrest,” Estrada said.

The Senator later said he stood by his manifestation unless the family obtained a temporary restraining order from the proper court.

The Senate committee previously issued a subpoena against the family to attend the probe.

With Vergara’s former employers, Pablo and France Ruiz, present at the hearing, the committee secretary said their two children were minors and in school.

The eldest was an 18-year-old, and the other was a 16-year-old.

For its part, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said their legal officer could invite the daughter.

“Based po sa kanyang advice, maari po nating ma-imbita provided that ma-accompany po yung bata ng kanilang parent or legal guardian and that the child or children will not be exposed unnecessarily,” Dumlao said.

(Based on the legal office's advice, the daughter can be invited if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and if the child or children are not unnecessarily exposed.)

She reiterated that a child was defined as "a person below 18 years old of age and a person 18 years of age or older but unable to take care of oneself fully or protect oneself from abuse, neglect, exploitation, or discrimination."

“I think, Mr. Senators, mahalaga rin po na ma-ascertain natin yun pong condition, situation po nung mga bata in defining if these individuals are, or should be considered a child or a minor,” Dumlao said.

(It is also important for us to ascertain the condition or situation of the children in defining if these individuals should be considered minors.)

“Likewise, Mr. Senators. we have to consider din yung mga protocols on handling children especially may mga ganitong inquiries nga po or mga hearings dahil kinakailangan pa rin natin protektahan at pangalagaan yung kanilang best interest,” she added.

(Likewise, we have to consider the protocols for handling children, especially in such inquiries or hearings, because we still need to protect their best interest.)

Committee Chairman Senator Francis Tolentino said they would need a written position from the DSWD regarding Estrada’s motion.

When questioned, France Ruiz said she would bring her daughter.

“Dalin mo na lang para— madadala mo ba? Mapapangako mo na madadala mo sa susunod na hearing?” Estrada asked.

France Ruiz responded, “Opo (yes), your honor.”

The 44-year-old Vergara, who has gone blind and acquired numerous scars, looked back on her traumatic experiences in an episode of “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.”

Her former employers denied hurting her. — DVM, GMA Integrated News