Ogie Diaz recently shared his two cents on Ruffa Gutierrez's controversial legal tussle with former helpers.
News about the actress allegedly losing the case circulated recently.
On his vlog, Ogie shared: "Sa pagkakaalam ko, yes, totoo nga yan - na nanalo yung dalawang kasambahay na pinaalis ni Ruffa Gutierrez sa kanyang Alabang house..."
Then he went on to read a legal document that says: "On September 27, 2022, efforts were made to serve this Order to herein respondent but records show that the respondent refused to receive the same. However, this Office did not receive any Notice of Appeal within the reglementary period."
"The Order has now become final and executory and is hereby recorded in the book of Entry of Judgment," it also read. "City of Manila, Philippines."
The "Notice of Finality" from the Department of Labor and Employment ordered Ruffa to pay the former employees the "aggregate amount of 13,299.92. representing their indemnity pay, unpaid wages and unpaid pro-rated 13th month pay" within ten days from receipt hereof, otherwise, legal measures shall be taken by Office for the enforcement of the Order.
Ogie related: "Kilala ko si Ruffa, mabait na bata, in fairness..."
"Pero siyempre hindi naman ako yung naging kasambahay. Ika nga, sila yung merong experience, meron silang kwento about Ruffa. So kwento nila yun."
If ever, he's confident that Ruffa will comply with the order.
"Mallit na halaga para hindi tuparin ni Ruffa ang kanyang obligasyon dun sa kanyang kasambahay," he said.
"Sana matapos na rin ito. At, at the end of the day, siguro gusto lang din patunayan ng dalawang kasambahay na hindi totoo yung mga binibintang sa kanila nung sila'y napalayas dun sa bahay nila Ruffa," he added.
"At ika nga e nakakahinga na sila ng maluwag na pwedeng isipin ng mga tao na hindi totoo na sila'y may kasalanan or nagnakaw sa bahay ni Ruffa."
Ogie said what happened is a lesson for everyone, even for himself.
"Na ang pagtrato sa mga kasambahay ay para ring kapamilya. At siyempre dun naman sa mga kasambahay, kapag tinuring din naman kayong kapamilya, patunayan niyo rin na para silang kahit hindi kayo magkadugo ay alam niyong maasahan kayo ng inyong mga employers," he maintained.
"Sa lahat ng bagay, lalo na ang tiwala, wag yan sasayangin," Ogie stressed.
Meanwhile, on Twitter, retired COMELEC Commissioner Rowena Guanzon reacted to the issue.
"Mensahe natin patungkol sa pagkapanalo ng mga tinulungan natin na dating kasambahay ni Ruffa na kababayan from Negros. Nandito lang po ako at bukas kamay na tumatanggap ng mga humihingi ng tulong basta kaya ko. Happy Sunday! #RowenaGuanzon," she wrote on Facebook.
Salamat sa lahat na tumulong sa dalaqang kasambahay na taga Negros Occidental lalo na sa mga abogado #p3pwdatyourservice pic.twitter.com/VHCNxaPmRR
— Rowena Guanzon (@rowena_guanzon) April 2, 2023
Prior, Rowena made public the issue via social media.
"My friend has to rescue two household helpers who were thrown out of a first class village by their employers without paying their salaries. Where is your compassion?," she tweeted then.
Rowena added: "Calling PAO chief Persi Acosta . 2 household helpers from Kabankalan Negros Occ were thrown out of Ayala Alabang tonight by their employers without paying their salaries. My friend had to rescue them. #mgawalangpuso."
Then few days later, she updated: "The 2 former kasambahay of Ruffa G wna taka kabankalan negros occidenral filed a complaint in the NLRC for backwages and damages."
The 2 former kasambahay of Ruffa G wna taka kabankalan negros occidenral filed a complaint in the NLRC for backwages and damages. @P3PWD_PL @ogiediaz @banderaphl @dzbb @PhilippineStar @inquirerdotnet @DZMMTeleRadyo @BomboRadyoNews pic.twitter.com/7aaYL0V1pm
— Rowena Guanzon (@rowena_guanzon) July 20, 2022