Perhaps one of the most controversial charges of housemaid abuse and violence against women was filed on August 27, 2009 at the Department of Justice (DOJ) against the family of Mariano Tanenglian, brother to well-known business tycoon Lucio Tan.
The complainant, Mary Jane Sollano from Zamboanga del Sur, then 18, accused the Tanenglians – Mariano, wife Aleta and children Maximilian and Fayette – of housemaid abuse or maltreatment, serious illegal detention, slavery and frustrated homicide. All these can be considered grave forms of violence against women. Sollano served as housemaid at the Tanenglian residence in Biak-na-Bato Quezon City for five years.
The family allegedly abused her physically, mentally and sexually, the abuses ranging from disallowing her and fellow housemaids from sitting, using any phone or talking to other, to refusing to let them eat and pouring boiling water on her hand as punishment for a mistake made. The charges included more forms of housemaid abuse including forced employment and blackmail as the Tanenglian women took nude photos of her and threatened to spread the said photos if she goes against their will.
On August 20, 2009, Sollano, together with another complainant, Aljane Bacanto, then 19, already filed a complaint at the Women and Children’s Concern Division (WCCD) of La Loma Station 1 accompanied by Atty. Al Parreno. (Philippine National Police (PNP) – WCCD, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Violence Against Women and Children’s Desk, and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) Rehabilitation are some of the offices where one can seek help against cases of violence against women and children.)
Sollano’s ordeal ended when Bacanto was able to escape and warn the authorities. Sollano, along with other housemaids, was rescued from the Tanenglian residence on August 10, 2009 by the WCCD, Commission on Human Rights (CHR), and a group of lawyers. The negotiations lasted for seven (7) hours until Sollano and company were freed. Sollano received only a sum of P2,500 in return for her years of service.
The women were then subjected to physical, emotional and psychological examinations. According to Atty. Parreno, “Ang concern lang naming ngayon ay maging maayos ang pag-iisip ng mga bata kaya hindi muna natin pwedeng ipakausap kasi ayaw naming pabigla-bigla at sinuisiguro lang natin” (Our main concern now is to ensure that the kids are in good mental condition [prior to the investigations and hearings they have to face], thus, they may not be interviewed at this time).
As Sollano was still a minor when she began working for the family, the Department of Justice (DOJ)-Task Force on Women and Children Protection recommended the filing of criminal charges for violating Repulic Act No. 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act), Republic Act No. 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003), and kidnapping and serious illegal detention under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code. It was found that the girl went missing for five years and was only finally found when Bacanto revealed where she was.
Initial investigations showed that people in the community were aware of Sollano’s plight. Barangay Tanod members said that she often flashed a cardboard sign asking for help to people who happened to pass by. They said she was locked up in a room after work.
Meanwhile, the Senate was becoming more alarmed by the increasing number of housemaid abuse and violence against women and children cases in the country. The case against the Tanenglians only emphasized this growing problem and the need for an effective solution.
Then Senate Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct a thorough investigation of the said case. He particularly emphasized the importance of the investigation while approval of the Kasambahay Bill or Household Bill, which he authored, was still pending in Congress. Estrada urged the Lower House to expedite the bill’s passage especially for the protection of the kasambahay or househelps. Then Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile who authored a similar bill supported this call for a thorough and just action.
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | abused housemaid, househelp abuse, housemaid abuse, housemaid maltreatment, maid abuse, Mariano Tan Case, mariano tanenglian, mariano tanenglian case, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, violence against women, women employee abuse, women employees abuse
Tanenglian is a disgrace to the human race. He should be confined to the dungeons, with rats for company. He should be charged for crimes against humanity.
Tawagin ang bir para kasuhan si Tanenglian
Idol!
Huwag kang umasa. Looks what happened to Jalosjos. Buhay mayaman din siya sa loob. Nagpatayo pa ng tennis court. Langhiya.
dapat ikulong si tanenglian na. tapos ipaalam ang kaso niya ay nag rape ng menor de edad sa lahat ng nakakulong. tingnan natin kung tatagal iyan sa loob. kahit sa preso, mayroon din silang batas na sinusunod.
Kawawa naman ang mga katulong na iyan. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin kapag nangyari sa mga anak ko ang sinapit ng tatlo. Nagpapasalamat ako at mabuti at makatao ang mga amo ng mga anak ko.
Iba talaga ang bilyonaryo na at maimpluwensya pa! Pag ordinaryong tao nagkasala, kulong agad, pero pag mayaman o bilyunaryong tulad ng mga Tanenglian, pwedeng patagu-tago muna habang dipa nila siguro “nabibili” ang husgado. Ang dapat sa kanila hulihin at ikulong kasama ang mga kumukupkop sa kanila.
Ang dapat dyan sa pamilyang Tanenglian ay ikalaboso at gawing taga linis ng kubeta ng mga preso! Tamang tama, matikman naman nila sa preso ang ginawa nilang pagpaparusa sa mga kawawang katulong!
Word on the street is that the Tanengalians, like Ping Lacson, continues to evade the authorities. I read in the papers that warrants have been issued for their arrest but no news so far that they’ve been found, much less detained. Are they really hiding or is it because police authorities have suddenly turned “blind?”
Asa pa mga katulong na yan! Wala silang makukuhang hustisya dito sa ‘Pinas dahil iba ang hustisya ng mahirap at mayaman!