At the hearing of the Senate Justice and Human Rights Committee Tuesday (August 22) on the plight of househelp Elvie Vergara, barangay captain Jimmy Patal recalled Vergara going to the barangay hall after escaping from her employers, Jerry and France Ruiz.
Patal said Vergara looked disheveled and like a homeless person (taong grasa) when she arrived. Jerry Ruiz went to the barangay hall a few minutes later to fetch the househelp, he added.
Senator Robin Padilla said Patal should’ve inquired about Vergara’s situation at the barangay hall instead of letting Ruiz pick her up easily.
At the time of her visit to the barangay hall, Vergara didn’t rat on her employers for abusing her. She eventually lost her sight and teeth from their repeated maltreatment.
“Hindi ba automatic yun na tatanungin mo yung dalawang partido, na yan ang SOP (standard operating procedure)?” Padilla said.
The neophyte senator was incensed further when he saw Patal scratching his head in response to senators’ questions.
“Wag mo ko ganon-ganonin sa tenga. Uupakan kita maniwala ka sa akin!” Padilla told Patal. “Parang sinasabi mo na di mo ginagawa ang trabaho mo. Tinanong mo ba si Nanay? Hindi mo ginawa ang trabaho mo. Dapat po tinanong niyo.”
“Huwag mo ako gaganun-ganunin sa tainga. Uupakan kita. Maniwala ka sa akin!” Padilla shouted at him. Politiko.com.ph/ Senate of the Philippines
Watch full playlist on YouTube here Manang Elvie Story: Ganti ng Kasambahay. Motu Proprio inquiry into the severe battery and maltreatment by employers of kasambahay Manang Elvie Vergara resulting to her blindness and other injuries.