Press Release
June 5, 2010

Justice for victims of abuse and protection for all domestic helper

The court’s decision to issue arrest warrants against an immensely wealthy and influential family such as the Tanenglian’s was a milestone in the fight for the rights of domestic helpers in the country. Only, the warrants are still not served and all the accused remains scot-free.

Three former house maids namely Maryjane Sollano,19, Aljane Bacanto, 21, and Gina Renecia, 33, filed separate cases of abuse and other violations against Mariano Tanenglian, his wife Aleta and children Fayette and Maximilian. Mariano, a business tycoon, is the brother of Lucio Tan. In the case filed by Bacanto, the court issued last May 4 arrest warrants for violation of RA 9208 or Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, serious illegal detention under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code, and for violation of RA 7610 or Anti-Child Abuse Act. Last June 4, new arrest warrants were also ordered after the court found probable cause for violation of RA 7610 in the case filed by Sollano.

“When the victims’ families approached GABRIELA, we didn’t have to think twice about supporting them. We know from our experience with fighting violence against women that victims need all the support they can get especially when the perpetrators are as influential as the Tanenglian’s. In many instances, cases are dismissed or dropped when the victims are continuously threatened and harassed,” said Lana Linaban, GABRIELA’s secretary general.

“Abuse and maltreatment of domestic helpers remains prevalent. Since 2007, fifteen cases were referred to GABRIELA. Victims suffer from physical abuse, deprivation of salary and even liberty. Worst, some of the victims were raped,” added Linaban.

Further, the group announced that aside from continuous vigilance on the case against the Tanenglian’s, they would also heighten the fight for the welfare of domestic helpers by pushing for a law that would guarantee full protection of their rights.

“Cases like these of the victims of the Tanenglian family show that there is an urgent need to push for a law that would protect and uplift the condition of household helpers in our country. The condition of Filipinos who are employed in private households is an important issue that Gabriela Women’s Party would lobby in the congress especially since this industry ranks third among the industries where employed women can be found,” stated Rep. Emmi de Jesus of Gabriela Women’s Party.

“This is also a challenge to the members of the House of Representatives and the new administration to respond to our fight through positive measures and law,” added De Jesus.

REFERENCE:

Rep. Emmi de Jesus
Gabriela Women’s Party

Lana Linaban
Secretary General

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