(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…
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(INQUIRER) MANILA, Philippines — Senators on Monday said the destruction of coral reefs in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal could be a portent of things to come, including the possibility of reclamation activities by China in Philippine waters. Also on Monday, a maritime law expert warned of a collapse of the country’s fisheries in the West Philippine…
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(INQUIRER) MANILA, Philippines — Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Tuesday warned the former employers of household helper Elvie Vergara against lying, as they faced a Senate probe into allegations they exploited the maid. Estrada advised Jerry and France Ruiz to be truthful about their statements before the Senate committee on justice and human rights or be…
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(INQUIRER) Senate resolution honors late broadcast journalist Mike Enriquez MANILA, Philippines — Senator Jinggoy Estrada has filed a resolution expressing the upper chamber’s sincere condolences to the passing of broadcast journalist Mike Enriquez. In his proposed Senate Resolution No, 770, Estrada stated that the journalist’s passing is a “great loss” to the Filipino nation. “Enriquez’s…
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(INQUIRER) MANILA, Philippines — The Senate is now poised to investigate the recent road rage case in Quezon City involving a former police officer. Senator Jinggoy Estrada brought the issue before the upper chamber through a personal and collective speech on Tuesday on the Senate floor. “Ako po’y nababahala dito sa mga ganitong uri ng sitwasyon na…
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(INQUIRER) MANILA, Philippines — The bill proposing an increase in the disability pension of military veterans and their beneficiaries is now a law, Senator Jinggoy Estrada announced Friday. “The long-awaited enactment of the bill increasing veterans’ disability pension by as much as 488 percent marks a significant milestone in recognizing and honoring those who have…
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(INQUIRER) MANILA, Philippines — A Senate panel on Tuesday approved the issuance of a subpoena against the employers of household help Elvie Vergara. The summon directed Pablo Ruiz, his wife France, and their children Jerry and Danica to attend the Senate committee on justice and human rights inquiry into Vergara’s supposed maltreatment. No member of…
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(INQUIRER) MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Tuesday began its motu proprio investigation into the severe maltreatment of Elvie Vergara, a maid in Occidental Mindoro who was reportedly subjected to physical and emotional abuse by her employer since 2020. The upper chamber’s committee on justice and human rights, presided by Senator Francis Tolentino, led the…
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(INQUIRER) MANILA, Philippines — Even if Elvie Vergara has committed theft, her employers must still be sanctioned for the severe battery and maltreatment the helper suffered. Senator Jinggoy Estrada issued the statement about the 44-year-old maid who became blind and suffered multiple injuries after being allegedly abused by her employers in Occidental Mindoro. “The people…
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(INQUIRER) MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis Escudero’s proposal on Tuesday to set aside P100 million in the 2024 national budget for the construction of permanent structures in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea drew support from his colleagues and the chief of the Philippine Navy. The structures, according to the senator, could…
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