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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senate panel cites husband of employer who abused house helper in contempt

Senate panel cites husband of employer who abused house helper in contempt

Published Sep 25, 2023 08:11 am

A Senate panel has cited in contempt the husband of France Garcia Ruiz, the former employer of household helper Elvira Vergara due to inconsistent statements during the continuing probe into the alleged maltreatment of Vergara.

Pablo Ruiz.jpg

Senate security officials accompanied Pablo Ruiz, husband of France Garcia Ruiz, at the Senate hall. The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights has cited him in contempt on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, for being evasive when asked details about the abuses his family heaped on Elvira "Elvie" Vergara, their household helper. (Senate photo)

 

 

In the fourth hearing on Monday, Sept. 25 of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights chaired by Sen. Francis Tolentino, France's husband Pablo Ruiz was cited in contempt after being questioned by Sen. Raffy Tulfo regarding the employment of one of the new witnesses who surfaced out of concern for Vergara. 

One witness Melinda Magno, confirmed that Vergara has worked for France since 2017 contrary to her earlier claim that she began working for her in 2019. 

Another one, a certain Richard Pinto, a former garbage collector for the Municipality of Mamburao, stated that he was able to see and even take pictures of Vergara's fresh bruises. 

France denied having any sort of association with the third witness, Paolo Toling or "Pawpaw" whom she claimed she had never seen before. 

Toling, however, stated that he worked for France for only two weeks and was able to witness some of the abuses that Vergara experienced.

Tulfo, on the other hand, went on to ask Pablo if he'll corroborate with this statement of France. He did, but Tulfo was able to establish that Toling had information in his sworn statement that only someone who was employed under them could provide. This includes the presence of dogs within the Ruiz residence, the number of dogs with breeds, and the separation of bedrooms for male and female employees. Pablo in turn, confirmed this information to be true. 

"I would like to cite this gentleman in contempt sa pagsisinungaling (for lying)," Tulfo said. This motion was seconded by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.

Meanwhile, Tulfo also revealed that France failed the polygraph test and was found "deceptive". He added that this already satisfies him and that for the senator, this is already the endgame.

"Nandoon na yung satisfaction ko (In here is my satisfaction) to prove for me and for everybody here na ikaw (that you) from day one ay nagsisinungaling at tama lang na ikaw ay nakulong sa baba (have been lying and it's just appropriate that you got detained here)," Tulfo said.

Tolentino mentioned that based on the polygraph results, it states that France is "indicative of deceptions."

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Polygraph Examiner I Eddie Betervo said that this means that the subject was lying when she asked the questions. One of the questions asked is whether or not the allegations Vergara has been throwing against her were true or not. France answered that they were not true. 

Wrapping up the hearing, Tolentino also denied the Motion for Reconsideration filed by Ruiz's lawyers to reconsider and set aside the contempt order against France. 

Pursuant to existing laws regarding the detention of the couple, Tolentino said that they will remain under the jurisdiction of the Senate until the end of the legislative inquiry. 

This will only terminate under two instances: first, upon approval or disapproval of the Committee report, and second, the legislative inquiry of the Senate also terminates upon the expiration of one Congress.

Tolentino also asked the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), as well as the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Office, to make arrangements to look after the two children of the couple. 

Related Tags

Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights Senator Francis “Tol” N. Tolentino Senator Jinggoy Estrada Senator Raffy Tulfo
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