Maltreated maid’s case, reconsideration of Marzan bail sought

MANILA, Philippines - The camp of Bonita Baran, the housemaid who accused her former employers of maltreatment, has asked a Quezon City court to reconsider its decision allowing one of the accused to post bail.

In a nine-page motion for reconsideration filed before the Regional Trial Court Branch 77, Assistant City Prosecutor Ulric Badiola said that accused Reynold Marzan should not have been allowed to post bail.

“Marzan (in this case) was fully aware of the things done to Baran by his wife, Anna Liza Marzan, but he remained indifferent and only told the latter to stop without actually performing overt acts that could have end Baran’s ordeal,” Badiola said.

The prosecutor added that whenever Reynold would arrive from work, he would only stare at the detained Baran as Anna Liza would enjoin him not to let her out.

By not doing anything, Badiola said that Reynold agreed and tolerated Anna Liza’s act of locking Baran up, adding that he would even double lock the main door of the house.

“With all due respect, the court’s ruling should be overturned in view of the fact that the conspiracy between the accused spouses was clearly established,” the motion stated.

Last week, Judge Germano Francisco Legaspi allowed Reynold to post a P150,000 bail in exchange for his temporary freedom.

The judge noted that the prosecution failed to show evidence that the couple conspired to detain their former housemaid.

The court, however, denied the motion of Anna Liza, noting that the defense failed to discredit the testimony of Baran.

In a separate 12-page manifestation, Baran, with the help of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), urged the court to overturn its decision.

“The acts of accused Reynold Marzan in not allowing the complainant to go home in spite of her pleas when Anna Liza started maltreating her should be interpreted as an independent act in pursuance of the conspiracy to detain Baran,” said the manifestation.

“Clearly, the purpose of the detention is to hide the violence and maltreatment committed against Baran,” it said.

The Marzan couple failed to attend yesterday’s hearing, prompting Legaspi to note that the defense had waived its right to comment on the motion for reconsideration filed by the prosecution.

But in a text message to The STAR, defense lawyer Joel Ferrer said that they will file within the week a comment on the motion filed by the prosecution.

“In fact, we will also file a partial motion for reconsideration on denial of bail application of Anna Liza,” he added.