(INQUIRER) MANILA, Philippines — The alleged abused household help’s employer, France Ruiz, was held in contempt and ordered detained in the Senate for allegedly lying and giving “inconsistent” statements to lawmakers on Tuesday.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada made the motion after Ruiz repeatedly maintained that she did not exploit Elvie Vergara and claimed that witnesses JM and Patrick committed the abuses against the helper.
“This woman, our resource person Mrs. France, has been giving a lot of inconsistent answers, and I believe this woman is the mastermind of maltreating and inflicting severe injuries leading to the total blindness of aling Elvie,” Estrada said during the upper chamber’s committee on justice and human rights hearing on the case.
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“Therefore, Mr. Chair, I move that we cite this woman, France Garcia Ruiz, in contempt,” he added.
Estrada’s motion was seconded by Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
READ: Senate probes maltreatment of ‘kasambahay’ Elvie Vergara
Before the hearing was suspended, committee chairman Senator Francis Tolentino approved Estrada’s motion and ordered the sergeant at arms to escort Ruiz to the Senate detention.
“The sergeant at arms is hereby directed to place under detention within the Senate premises said person Mrs. France Garcia Ruiz with visitation rights accorded to her family members as well as counsel effective today, September 19, 2023,” Tolentino said.