Abused maid’s employers flunk lie detector test

MANILA, Philippines — The couple who employed and allegedly maltreated housemaid Elvira Vergara have failed the lie detector tests conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Senate reported yesterday.

The NBI confirmed the polygraph test results during the hearing of the Senate committee on justice and human rights chaired by Sen. Francis Tolentino, which is looking into the alleged abuses suffered by Vergara at the hands of spouses France and Pablo Ruiz.

The panel cited Pablo in contempt and ordered his detention at the Senate for purportedly lying and giving inconsistent statements.

Last week, the Senate ordered France’s detention for lying under oath.

Tolentino said the detention order was issued by the committee following the motion of Sen. Raffy Tulfo and seconded by Estrada to hold Pablo in contempt.

Estrada said the Ruiz couple would remain in Senate custody until a court issues an order for their release.

The couple as well as witnesses John Mark Taroma and John Patrick Simbao were subjected to a polygraph test last week as requested by Tulfo.

“While the court held that results of a polygraph test cannot be offered as evidence to prove the guilt or innocence of an accused in a crime, it does not mean that it has no weight at all,” Tolentino said.

“Unlike in criminal cases where the prosecution is required to establish proof beyond reasonable doubt, the burden of proof in labor cases is merely substantial evidence,” he added.

Tolentino pointed out that the result of a polygraph test may be used in conjunction with other corroborative evidence to prove an allegation made by a party to a case.

During the hearing, resource persons Melinda Magno and her son, Jerwell Rebato, detailed the alleged maltreatment they suffered from France.

Magno added that she was promised a monthly salary of P4,500, but she only received groceries.

Rebato, 17, said he worked for the couple as a store helper. He said he also suffered cursing from his employers.

Tolentino asked Chariz Masatumba of the Department of Labor and Employment to assist Magno and Rebato in filing complaints against the couple to be able to claim back wages.

Another resource person, Richard Rendon, a garbage collector, told the Senate panel that he took a photograph of Vergara with fresh wounds.

Rendon said Pablo ordered him to delete the photo.