Court orders arrest of businessman, family for maid abuse (The Philippine Star)

A Quezon City court has ordered the arrest of businessman Mariano Tanenglian, his wife and two children over the alleged maltreatment of one of their underage housemaids.

In an order dated May 4, Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 94 also issued a hold departure against Tanenglian, estranged brother of businessman Lucio Tan; his wife Aleta and children Fayette and Maximilian.

The charges of illegal detention, trafficking and child abuse were based on a complaint filed by Aljane Bacanto, a former housemaid of the Tanenglians. Illegal detention and trafficking are non-bailable offenses. The court set bail at P80,000 for each of the accused for the child abuse case.

The case of another former helper, Mary Jane Sollano, who was also allegedly maltreated by the family, was raffled to the sala of Quezon City RTC Branch 102 Judge Lourdes Giron.

“After having personally examined the information, the resolution of the investigating prosecutor and all the supporting documents attached thereto, the court finds that there is probable cause to hold accused for trial for the offenses charged. Let warrants for their arrest (be) issued,” the court said in the order, a copy of which was obtained by The STAR.

“With regard to the motion for the issuance of a hold departure order, the court finds the same with merit and… the motion is granted,” the court said.

The STAR tried contacting Tanenglian’s lawyer, Raymund Quiroz, but calls made and text messages sent to his cellular phone were unanswered.

In past interviews, Quiroz had denied the charges against the Tanenglians. He had linked the case to Mariano Tanenglian’s move to testify against his estranged brother, tycoon Lucio Tan, in a government case.

Bacanto claimed she was 16 when she was first hired – with a monthly salary of P2,000 – in May 2006. She said she was maltreated while she was working for the Tanenglians. She said she was finally allowed to go home in January 2009, but allegedly without receiving her salary.

The Bureau of Immigration and Department of Foreign Affairs were both given a copy of the hold departure order against the accused. The court also denied the motion to suspend proceedings filed by the defense.

The prosecution had asked for the issuance of the hold departure order, claiming that the accused are “very influential and prominent people” and have access to both domestic and international transportation.

But the defense had opposed this, citing a pending motion to hold in abeyance the issuance of arrest warrants due to a pending motion for reconsideration filed with the Department of Justice.

However, the court ruled: “It must be emphasized that the function of the judge to issue a warrant of arrest upon determination of probable cause is exclusive… There is absolutely no ground for the court to suspend proceedings and defer issuance of warrants of arrest.”


Source:
Reinir Padua
The Philippine Star
Posted May 15, 2010 at http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=575309&publicationSubCategoryId=65

Warrants out for tycoon's kin (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

A Quezon City court has issued warrants of arrest for businessman Mariano Tanenglian and members of his family in connection with a case filed by their former househelp, who they allegedly maltreated.

Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria, of Regional Trial Court Branch 94, also issued a hold departure against Tanenglian, his wife Aleta and children Fayette and Maximilian.

The charges of illegal detention, trafficking and child abuse were based on a complaint by Aljane Bacanto, a former housemaid of the family.

Illegal detention and trafficking are nonbailable offenses. A bail of P80,000 for each of the accused was set by the court for child abuse cases.

The prosecution asked for the issuance of a hold departure order, saying the accused are “very influential and prominent people” who have access to both domestic and international transportation.

Defense lawyers opposed the move, citing a pending motion to hold in abeyance the issuance of arrest warrants because of a pending motion for reconsideration in the Department of Justice.


Source:
Julie M. Aurelio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted May 15, 2010 at http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view/20100515-270047/Warrants-out-for-tycoons-kin

Court orders arrest of tycoon’s brother (People's Journal)

A Quezon City court ordered the arrest of a brother of business tycoon Lucio Tan and his family over charges of illegal detention, trafficking and child abuse for allegedly maltreating their former housemaid.

Presiding Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria issued the warrants of arrest for Mariano Tanenglian, his wife Aleta and their children Fayette and Maximillian.

The family court also issued a hold departure order against the Tanenglians to prevent them from escaping prosecution.

The Department of Justice filed the cases against the respondents based on the complaint of Aljane Bacanto, who was a minor when she was hired as housemaid of the Tanenglians.

No bail was recommended for the accused on the illegal detention and trafficking charges while a bail of P80,000 was recommended for the child abuse case.

The judge granted the appeal of the prosecution for the issuance of the HDO, saying the accused are “very influential and prominent people” and have access to both domestic and international transportation.

The defense, however, said there is a pending motion to hold in abeyance the issuance of arrest warrants against the accused pending resolution of the motion for reconsideration they filed before the DoJ.


Soruce:
Cory Martinez
People's Journal
Posted May 15, 2010 at http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/metro/9528-court-orders-arrest-of-tycoons-brother-.html

Court issues hold order against taipan’s brother (Manila Standard Today)

A Quezon City court has issued arrest warrants against Mariano Tanenglian—brother of business tycoon Lucio Tan—and his family following the child-abuse and illegal-detention charges filed against them by a former maid.

The defense lawyers asked Branch 94 of the Regional Trial Court to defer issuing the warrants because they had a pending motion before the Justice Department, but the court denied them in its order dated May 4.

“It must be emphasized that the function of the judge to issue a warrant of arrest upon determination of probable case is exclusive,” Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria said.

“There is absolutely no ground for the court to suspend proceedings and defer [the] issuance of warrants of arrest.”

Mariano aside, the others for whom arrest warrants have been issued were his wife Aleta and children Fayette and Maximillian. The court also issued a hold order on them so they may not leave the country.

The four have been charged with nine counts of violating the Anti-Child Abuse Law, for which the court has set bail at P80,000 each, as well as child trafficking and illegal detention for which bail is not allowed.

The complainant, Aljane Bacanto, says she started working for the accused at their Quezon City residence in May 2006, but for three years she was not allowed to go out, was not paid, was not given enough food, and was hurt physically over the slightest error.

Another maid had filed a separate case of serious illegal detention and child abuse against the Tanenglians, and it was raffled off to Quezon City Branch 102 under Presiding Judge Lourdes Giron, another family court where the proceedings are confidential.


Source:
Roy Pelovello
Manila Standard Today
Posted May 15, 2010 at http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=2010/may/15/news4.isx&d=2010/may/15

More child abuse raps vs Tanenglians raffled off

MANILA, Philippines – The Quezon City regional trial court (RTC) has raffled off the seven counts of child abuse against businessman Mariano Tanenglian and his family in connection with the alleged maltreatment of one of their underage housemaids.

The case, which went to Quezon City RTC Branch 94 Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria, stemmed from a complaint filed by Aljane Bacanto, a former housemaid of the Tanenglians.

Bacanto alleged that Tanenglian; his wife, Aleta; and children Fayette and Maximillian abused her.

The Tanenglians have filed a motion to suspend the proceedings, according to the court calendar of cases.

Bacanto’s case is second to be filed against the Tanenglians after the case of another former helper, Mary Jane Sollano, was assigned to Branch 102 Judge Lourdes Giron.

Bacanto claimed she was 16 when she was first hired – with a monthly salary of P2,000 – in May 2006. She said she was allegedly maltreated by the family and was finally allowed to go home in January 2009 but without a salary.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) Task Force on Women and Children Protection earlier found probable cause against the Tanenglians and filed the child abuse case in court.

The DOJ recommended P80,000 bail for each count of child abuse as well as the filing of charges serious illegal detention and trafficking, which are non-bailable offenses.

Tanenglian’s lawyer, Raymund Quiroz, said they have asked the court to hold the issuance of the warrant of arrest on grounds that their motion for reconsideration is pending with the DOJ.

With the pending motion, the case should be in the preliminary investigation stage, not raffled off to a court, he added.

Quiroz said they pointed out in the motion for reconsideration the “inconsistencies” in the testimonies of the two housemaids. These inconsistent statements are the sole basis of the case against his clients, he added.


Source:
Reinir Padua
The Philippine Star
February 06, 2010
Retrieved from
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=547067

Tycoon’s brother, kin face more child abuse charges

MANILA, Philippines--Charges of child abuse were formally filed anew against the family of the brother of tycoon Lucio Tan in a Quezon City court for allegedly maltreating a 16-year-old housemaid.

Facing criminal charges of child abuse or violation of Republic Act 7610 is businessman Mariano Tanenglian, his wife Aleta and children Fayette and Maximillian.

The seven counts of child abuse were formally filed last week in the Quezon City Regional Trial Court and were raffled off to Branch 94, presided by Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria.

Tria’s sala is a family court, thus parties other than the complainant and the accused are not allowed to inquire about the case.

A check with the court calendar of cases yesterday, however, revealed that the Tanenglians filed a motion to suspend the proceedings.

The seven counts, accompanied by a motion for consolidation, were based on a complaint by Aljane Bacanto, a former housemaid of the Tanenglians.

This is the second case to be filed against the Tanenglians; a the first case, based on a complaint by Mary Jane Sollano, has been assigned to Branch 102 under Judge Lourdes Giron.

Bacanto alleged that she was 16 years old when she was hired in 2006 with a monthly salary of P2,000.

The housemaid claimed that she was maltreated and made to work long hours. She added that she was sometimes deprived of food and was forced to eat dog food to survive.

In January 2009, Bacanto claimed she was allowed to go home after working for the family for two years and seven months, allegedly without a salary.

The Department of Justice’s Task Force on Women and Children Protection, in a resolution, found probable cause against the Tanenglians and filed the case in court.

In its resolution, the DOJ said there was probable cause to indict the Tanenglians based on Bacanto’s claims.

The family claimed Bacanto’s allegations were doubtful as these were general statements and not definite as to when the acts were supposedly committed.


Source:
Julie M. Aurelio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:41:00 02/05/2010
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view/20100205-251541/Tycoons-brother-kin-face-more-child-abuse-charges

Court asked to bar brod of Lucio Tan from leaving country

MANILA, Philippines—Prosecutors have asked a Quezon City court to bar the estranged brother of tycoon Lucio Tan from leaving the country while he and his family is facing trial for allegedly maltreating an underage maid.

In a two-page pleading, assistant city prosecutor Pedro Tresvalles asked Judge Lourdes Giron to issue a hold departure order against businessman Mariano Tanenglian in relation to the charges filed against him.

Giron, the presiding judge of of Regional Trial Court Branch 102, is hearing the 10 criminal cases against Tanenglian, his wife Aleta, and children Fayette and Maximilian for child abuse and serious illegal detention.

The case, which was based on the complaint of Tanenglian’s former housemaid Mary Jane Sollano, was raffled off to Branch 102, a family court as Sollano was a minor when she was first hired.

Branch 102, as a family court, disallows parties other than the complainant and the accused from inquiring about the case.

Tresvalles, in his motion for the issuance of a hold departure order, asked the court to direct immigration authorities to prevent any of the Tanenglians involved in the case from leaving the country.

“It is imperative that a hold departure order be issued directing the commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration to prevent the accused from leaving the country during the pendency of the instant case,” the assistant city prosecutor said.

Tresvalles filed the motion on January 22 or after the ten criminal cases were filed to Giron’s court.

He added that the motion “is not intended to delay the proceedings or infringe upon the accused’s right to travel but for the aforestated reasons.”

The cases against Tanenglian et al were formally filed in court last week after the Department of Justice said there was probable cause to charge them.

The DOJ earlier approved the filing of charges against Tanenglian, particularly for eight counts of child abuse, trafficking of persons and kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

A DOJ task force on women based the case on Sollano’s complaint, as she used to work as a housemaid at the Tanenglian household on Biak-na-Bato St., Quezon City.

She accused her former employers of maltreatment, serious illegal detention, slavery and frustrated homicide.

The DOJ said the Tanenglians allegedly maltreated their housemaid and prevented her from leaving the house since she was employed by the family in 2004 at the age of 13 years old.

The Quezon City Police District, the Commission on Human Rights, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development rescued the 19-year-old housemaid from the Tanenglian household in August 2009.


Source:
Julie M. Aurelio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 29, 2010
Retrieved from
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20100129-250152/Court_asked_to_bar_brod_of_Lucio_Tan_from_leaving_country

Another case lodged vs Tanenglian

The Department of Justice approved the other day another criminal case against Mariano Tanenglian, brother of business tycoon Lucio Tan, and his wife and two children in connection with the complaint of another housemaid for alleged abuse and illegal detention.

In a 10-page resolution approved by chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuno, the DOJ said it has found probable cause in the complaint of 19-year-old Aljane Bacanto against Tanenglian, his wife Aleta and children Maximillian and Fayette and approved the filing in court of charges of kidnapping, serious illegal detention, violation of (R.A 9201) Anti-Trafficking in Persons Acts and nine counts of child abuse or violation of R.A 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse Exploitation and Discrimination Act) against them.

Preliminary investigation of the department’s Task Force on Women and Children Protection gave weight to the testimony of complainant Bacanto in approving the child abuse charges against the Tanenglians.

The DOJ has found that Bacanto was only 16 years old when employed by the Tanenglians and then suffered “cruelty, physical abuse from the hands of respondents and had been subjected to conditions prejudicial to her normal development as a child” during her employment from May 2006 up to Jan. last year.

In her complaint filed at the DOJ on Sept. 8 last year, Bacanto recounted her ordeal at the residence of the Tanenglians in Barangay Siena in Quezon City. She said she was not allowed to go out- not even once- during her stay in the house of respondents. Bacanto alleged that she was not allowed to call anybody outside the house. She said she was only allowed to write letters to her family in Tacloban, but upon dictation of Fayette who told her never to tell her parents of her never to tell her parents of her situation. She said her former employers made her” a slave without salary and enough food”.

She revealed that she was only given food whenever her employers were satisfied with her job. She said the refrigerators in the house were padlocked and that there were many instances when she was not able to eat for three consecutive days.

Deprivation

This deprivation of food prompted the maids to try to steal food. But she said they were caught stealing several times and were harshly punished by their bosses. She said she was mauled several times by Aleta, Fayette and Maximillian. She said she was even forced to eat dog food just to survive.

Submitted with the complaint were affidavits of representatives of police, Commission on Human Rights and Department Social Welfare and Development and other persons present during the rescue of the housemaid. The DOJ said it has also found merit in the human trafficking charges, citing the existence of an important aspect of the crime slavery.

“(Bacanto’s) employment was with the intention to enslave and to extract force labor service from the complainant. These intentions are inferred from the acts of respondents when they, in fact, detained complainant from the time she was employed and subjected her to incredibly long hours of work for two years and seven months without salary and under constant conditions of cruelty, maltreatment and threat,” the resolution stated.

Kidnapping, serious illegal detention

The DOJ added that all elements of kidnapping and serious illegal detention especially illegal deprivation of liberty by private individual for over five days- are present in the case of Bacanto.

“Respondents who are private individuals illegally deprived complainant of her liberty by not allowing her to leave their premises from the time of her employment on May 2006 p to January 2009 coupled with threat that if she made an attempt to leave, something of great harm will happen to her. This detention, needless to state, is a deprivation of complainant’s liberty” it explained.

However, the DOJ junked he charges of frustrated homicide against the Tanenglians. The camp of Tanenglian has already downplayed the allegations of the housemaid as “part of a bigger picture.”

Tanenglian’s lawyer, Raymund Quiroz has questioned Bacanto’s testimony: “If the maid (Bacanto) was able to go home to her province last February (last year) then how can she claim that she was being detained? And how come this story is only surfacing now?”

“As we all know somebody is trying to stop our client from testifying at the Sandiganbayan,” he added, apparently referring to the case against Tan where Tanenglian is reported planning to testify for the prosecution.

Still, Quiroz said they would answer all the charges once they receive a copy of the complaint.

Source:
The Philippine Star (Page 18)
January 22, 2010

Tan brother, family face charges in Quezon City court

Charges have been filed in a Quezon City court against the brother of tycoon Lucio Tan for allegedly maltreating one of the housemaids under his employ.

Mariano Tanenglian is facing serious illegal detention and child abuse charges for allegedly hiring one of his housemaids when she was still a minor.

Also included in the charges were his wife Aleta, and children Fayette and Maximillian.

The cases filed in the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, accompanied with a motion for consolidation, were raffled off to Regional Trial Court Branch 102 presided by Judge Lourdes Giron.

Branch 102, however, is a family court, thus the parties-other than the complainant and the accused are not allowed to inquire about the case, INQUIRER learned.

Another case against Tanenglian filed by justice department has yet to be filed as personnel of the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office said the criminal information had not yet been signed.

The Department of Justice earlier approved the filing of charges against Tanenglian, particularly for eight counts of persons and kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

A DOJ task force on women based the case on a complaint filed by Mary Jane Sollano, a housemaid formerly working at the Tanenglian household on Biak na Bato Street in Quezon City.

The housemaid had accused her former employers of maltreatment, serious illegal detention, slavery and frustrated homicide.

In a resolution last week, the DOJ found that the Tanenglians allegedly maltreated their housemaid and prevented her from leaving the house after she was employed by the family in 2004 at the age of 13.

The Tanenglians were charged in court this week with eight counts of violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act based on Sollano’s claim that she was physically maltreated and not allowed to communicate with her family.

The DOJ also charged the family with trafficking of persons and serious illegal detention of keeping Sollano in their home against her will, and for allegedly forcing her into working for her family.

The Quezon City Police District, Commission on Human Rights, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development rescued the housemaid from the Tanenglian household in August 2009.

Source:
Julie M. Aurelio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
A20
January 23, 2010

Tycoon's brother, family face charges in Quezon City court

MANILA, Philippines--Charges have been filed in a Quezon City court against the brother of tycoon Lucio Tan for allegedly maltreating one of the housemaids under his employ.

Mariano Tanenglian is facing serious illegal detention and child abuse charges for allegedly hiring one of his housemaids when she was still a minor.

Also included in the charges were his wife Aleta, and children Fayette and Maximilian.

The cases filed in the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, accompanied with a motion for consolidation, were raffled off to Regional Trial Court Branch 102 presided by Judge Lourdes Giron.

Branch 102, however, is a family court, thus the parties—other than the complainant and the accused—
are not allowed to inquire about the case, Inquirer learned.

Another case against Tanenglian filed by justice department has yet to be filed as personnel of the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office said the criminal information had not yet been signed.

The Department of Justice earlier approved the filing of charges against Tanenglian, particularly for eight counts of child abuse, trafficking of persons and kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

A DOJ task force on women based the case on a complaint filed by Mary Jane Sollano, a housemaid formerly working at the Tanenglian household on Biak na Bato Street in Quezon City.

The housemaid had accused her former employers of maltreatment, serious illegal detention, slavery and frustrated homicide.

In a resolution last week, the DOJ found that the Tanenglians allegedly maltreated their housemaid and prevented her from leaving the house after she was employed by the family in 2004 at the age of 13.

The Tanenglians were charged in court this week with eight counts of violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act based on Sollano’s claim that she was physically maltreated and not allowed to communicate with her family.

The DOJ also charged the family with trafficking of persons and serious illegal detention for keeping Sollano in their home against her will, and for allegedly forcing her into working for the family.

The Quezon City Police District, Commission on Human Rights, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development rescued the housemaid from the Tanenglian household in August 2009.


Source
Julie M. Aurelio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 22, 2010
Retrieved from
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view/20100122-248907/Tycoons-brother-family-face-charges-in-Quezon-City-court

Charges against Tanenglians continue to pile up

ANOTHER criminal case has been filed by the Department of Justice against businessman Mariano Tanenglian, his wife, and their two children based on the complaint of another former housemaid.

The DOJ Task Force on Women and Children found probable cause against Tanenglian, wife Aleta and children Fayette and Maximillian on the nine counts of child abuse, human trafficking, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention charges filed by Aljane Bacanto.

State prosecutors gave weight to the direct and positive testimony of Bacanto who testified that she was only 16 when employed by the Tanenglians at their residence in Quezon City. The DOJ panel found merit in the human trafficking charges, citing the existence of an important aspect of the crime: slavery.

“(Bacanto’s) employment was with the intention to enslave and to extract force labor/ service from the complainant. These intentions are inferred from the acts of respondents when they, in fact, detained complainant from the time she was employed and subjected her to incredibly long hours of work for two years and seven months without salary and under constant conditions of cruelty, maltreatment and treat,” the DOJ resolution said.

“Respondents who are private individuals illegally deprived complainant of her libery by not allowing her to leave their premises from the time of her employment in May 2006 up to January 2009 coupled with threat that she made an attempt to leave, something of great harm will happen to her. This detention, needless to state, is a deprivation of complainant’s liberty,” the panel said.

The DOJ, however, dismissed the charge of frustrated homicide against the Tanenglians.

Bacanto said that during her three-year stay at the Tanenglians, she suffered extreme cruelty and physical abuse and was subjected to conditions prejudicial to her normal development as a child. She said the Tanenglians barred her from going out of the house and calling anybody of the phone. She said her letters to her family in Tacloban were dictated by Fayette who forbade her to tell her parents of her situation.

On top of that, she never received any salary or was given, along with the other housemaids, enough food.

Bacanto said she was given food when her employers were satisfied with her work. She said the refrigerators in the house house were padlocked and there were many instances when she was nothing to east for three consecutive days. At one point, shje said she was forced to eat dog food to survive, She said hunger prompted her and the other maids to try o steal food but they caught several times and mauled by their employers.

She was rescued from the Tanenglian household in January 2009 by social workers and law enforces.

Last week, the DOJ filed similar criminal charges against the Tanenglians based on the complaint of another maid, Mary Jane Sollano, who was rescued by authorities seven months after Bacanto.

Bacanto’s testimony supported that of Sollano’s. Bacanto was the one who reported their ordeal to Sollano’s family after she left Tanenglian’s house, which led to the rescue of the latter.
The DOJ is investigating a similar complaint filed by a third housemaid, Gina Renacia.

Evangeline C. de Vera
Malaya, B2
January 21, 2010

DoJ okays more raps vs billionaire

THE Department of Justice yesterday approved the filing of more charges against a billionaire accused of maltreating a young housemaid.

Mariano Tanenglian, his wife Aleta, and children Maximilian and Fayette, all of Barangay Siena, Quezon City, were charged with nine counts of violation of the Anti Child Abuse Law and Anti-Trafficking of Persons, kidnapping and serious illegal detention before a QC court.

The charges stemmed from the complaint of Aljane Bacanto who claimed the family detained, abused amd maltreated her while working at their household for three years.

This was the seond time the Tanenglian family was charged by the DoJ before a Quezon City court.

Last Jan. 14, the DoJ filed similar charges against the Tanenglians based on the complaint of another housemaid, Mary Jane Sollano 19.


Hector Lawas
People’s Journal, Page 10
January 21, 2010

DOJ files more raps vs Tanenglians

THE Department of Justice yesterday approved the filing of more kidnapping and physical battery charges against a billionaire, his wife, and two children before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court in connection with the complaint lodged by a minor housemaid against them.

Sued for nine counts of violation of Republic Act 7610 (the Anti Child Abuse Law), violation of Republic Act 9208 (Anti-Trafficking of Persons), kidnapping, and serious illegal detention were Mariano Tanenglian, his wife Aleta, and children Maximillian and Fayette.

This was the second time the Tanenglian family was issued by the DOJ before the courts. Last Jan. 14, the DOJ filed similar charges against them before the QCRTC on the complaint of another housemaid, Mary Jane Sollano, 19.

“In this case, all the elements of the afore-mentioned crimes are present. Respondents who are private individuals illegally deprived complainant of her liberty ny not allowing her to leave their premises from the time of her employment… with threat if she made an attempt to leave, something of great harm will happen to her. This detention, needless to state, is deprivation of th complainant’s liberty,” Assistant Prosecution Attorney II Xerxes Garcia said in his resolution.

The case stemmed from the complaint of Aljane Bacanto who claimed that her ordeal started last May 2006 in the residence of the Tanenglians at Brgy. Siena, Quezon City.

He
People's Tonight, Page 14
January 21,2010

Isa pang criminal complaint sa negosyante, pinaboran ng DOJ

Pinaboran ng Department of Justice (DOJ) ang pagsasampa ng isa pang criminal complaint laban sa negosyanteng si Mariano Tanenglian, may bahay nito at dalawang anak kaugnay ng reklamong umano’y pagmaltrato at serious illegal detention ng isa pang katulong.

Sa 10 pahinang resolusyon na inaprubahan ni Chief Stae Prosecutor Jovencio Zuno, sinabi ng DOJ na may probable cause upang ihabla si Tanenglian, may bahay nitong si Aleta at mga anak na sina Maximillian at Fayette sa kasong kidnapping, serious illegal detention, violation of R.A.9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act) at nine counts ng child abuse o paglabag sa R.A 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act).

Sa pag-establisa ng paglabag sa child abuse law, binigyang bigat ng investigating fiscals mula sa Force on Women and Children Protection ng departamento ang testimonya ng complainant na si Aljane Bacanto na dumanas umano siya sa kalupitan, abusing pisikal “and had been subjected to conditions prejudicial to her normal development as a child” nang magsimula umano siyang magtrabaho sa bahay ng Tanenglians” noong Mayo 2006, 16-anyos palang siya, hanggang Enero noong nakaraang taon.

Sa aspeto ng human trafficking, nakakita umano ang DOJ ng merito sa alegasyong slavery, na mahalagang elemento umano ng kaso.

Samantala, ibinasura naman ng DOJ ang reklamong frustrated homicide laban sa mga ito.

Abante Tonight, Pahina 3
Enero 21,2010

Wealthy businessman charged anew for maltreating maid

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recommended the filing of a separate criminal charge before the trial court against wealthy businessman Mariano Tanenglian, his wife, and two children for allegedly maltreating a housemaid.

Earlier, the DOJ recommended the criminal prosecution of the Tanenglians based on the complaint filed by another housemaid, Mary Jane Sollano.

In a 10-page resolution signed by Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuno, the DOJ found merit in the complaint filed by Aljane Bacanto, a resident of Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte, who accused her employers of alleged maltreatment, serious illegal detention, slavery and frustrated homicide.

Bacanto worked for the Tanenglians as a housemaid from 2006 until 2009 and was the one who helped authorities in rescuing Sollano from the accused on August 10, 2009.

Charges of violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act; Republic Act No. 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons of 2003; kidnapping and serious illegal detention under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code will be filed against the Tanenglians.

“In this case, respondents admitted that they received and employed complainant as their domestic servant. Such receipt and employment was with the intention to enslave and to extract labor or service from the complainant,” the DOJ said.

“Respondents treated complainant not as a human being, but an object which they own, thereby debasing and stripping her of her dignity as a person,” the Justice department added.

Aside from Mariano, the charges were also filed against his wife Aleta, and children Fayette and Maximilian.

In her complaint-affidavit, Bacanto recounted that she started working with the Tanenglians when she was 16 years old and was allowed only to go home after three years.

During her three-year stay with the Tanenglians, Bacanto claimed she and the other housemaids were not allowed to go out, use the phone and other facilities of the house.

Bacanto added that although she was allowed to write letters to her family, the accused would dictate what she told in her letters.

She also said the Tanenglians would beat them up whenever they were caught getting food or using a cellular phone or radio.


Source:
DateLine Philippines
Posted on January 20, 2010
Retrieved from http://dateline.ph/?p=5128

Child abuse, kidnap charges to be filed vs brother of business tycoon

MANILA, Philippines—State prosecutors approved another set of criminal charges against Mariano Tanenglian, his wife and two children in connection with allegations of physical and verbal abuse of former members of their household.

Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño has approved the resolution of prosecution attorney Xerxes Garcia recommending the filing of criminal charges of child abuse and kidnapping with serious illegal detention against Tanenglian, his wife Aleta and children Maximillian and Fayette as alleged by former maid Aljane Bacanto.

Tanenglian is a brother of tycoon Lucio Tan. They are estranged for personal and business reasons. Tanenglian has offered to testify against Tan in cases filed against him by the Presidential Commission on Good Government.

Bacanto was only 16 years old when she started to work for the Tanenglians at their home in Quezon City.

“Respondents who are private individuals illegally deprived complainant of her liberty by not allowing her to leave their premises from the time of her employment... with a threat if she made an attempt to leave, something of great harm will happen to her,” the DOJ resolution read.

“This detention, needless to state, is deprivation of the complainant's liberty," it added.

The allegations in connection with Bacanto’s case are the second set of charges that the DOJ has filed against the Tanenglians. State prosecutors earlier this month filed similar raps against the family based on the complaint of another maid, Mary Jane Sollano.

Bacanto alleged that she and Sollano were prevented by the family from leaving the house and were threatened with harm if they did.

They alleged that they were made to work very early in the morning until 1 a.m. the following day. They also alleged that they were deprived of food for days.

Because of hunger, Bacanto and Sollano took food without the family’s knowledge and even partook of dog food.

When they were caught, Aleta and Maximilian allegedly subjected them to “inhuman punishments” such as beating, pouring hot water on their hands, slamming their heads on the wall and hitting their mouths with thick slippers.

Bacanto alleged that on Christmas Day in 2007, Fayette locked them inside the kitchen and hit their behind with an iron chain after she and Sollano burned the rice that they were cooking.

Fayette, Bacanto said, even threw some rice on the floor and made them lick the food off the floor.

“(Bacanto) also stressed that Mariano was aware of these inhuman treatments she and Mary Jane received from his family members but opted to be unmindful of their welfare,” the resolution read.

Source:
Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted January 20, 2010
Retrieved from
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20100120-248451/Child-abuse-kidnap-charges-to-be-filed-vs-brother-of-business-tycoon

Lucio Tan’s bro faces new raps

ANOTHER criminal case has been filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) against the businessman Mariano Tanenglian, his wife, and two children in connection with a slew of criminal complaints filed by a housemaid.

Tanenglian is the estranged brother of tycoon Lucio Tan.

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In a 10-page resolution, the DOJ Task Force on Women and Children found probable cause against Tanenglian, wife Aleta, and children Fayette and Maximilian for nine counts of child abuse, human trafficking, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention charges filed by Aljane Bacanto.

State prosecutors gave weight to the direct and positive testimony of Bacanto, who testified that she was only 16 when employed by the Tanenglians at their residence in Quezon City.

The DOJ panel found merit in the human trafficking charges, citing the existence of an important aspect of the crime – slavery.

“(Bacanto’s) Employment was with the intention to enslave and to extract force labor/service from the complainant. These intentions are inferred from the acts of respondents when they, in fact, detained complainant from the time she was employed and subjected her to incredibly long hours of work for 2 years and 7 months without salary and under constant conditions of cruelty, maltreatment and threat,” the resolution stated.

On the other hand, the respondents are also liable for kidnapping and serious illegal detention when they deprived Bacanto of liberty for over five days.

“Respondents who are private individuals illegally deprived complainant of her liberty by not allowing her to leave their premises from the time of her employment on May 2006 up to Jan. 2009 coupled with threat that if she made an attempt to leave, something of great harm will happen to her. This detention, needless to state, is a deprivation of complainant’s liberty,” the panel said.

But the DOJ junked the charges of frustrated homicide against the Tanenglians.

Bacanto said that during her three-year stay at the Tanenglians, she suffered extreme cruelty and physical abuse from the respondents and had been subjected to conditions prejudicial to her normal development as a child.

She was employed from May 2006 up to January last year when she was rescued by social workers and law enforcers from the Tanenglian household.

In her complaint, Bacanto said that ever since she came to live with them, the Tanenglians prohibited her from going out of the house, or call anybody on the phone.

She said she was only allowed to write letters to her family in Tacloban, but upon dictation of Fayette who told her never to tell her parents of her situation.

On top of that, she never received any salary from the respondents, nor were she and the other housemaids ever fed enough food.

She revealed that she was only given food whenever her employers were satisfied with her job. She said the refrigerators in the house were padlocked and that there were many instances when she was not able to eat in three consecutive days.

This deprivation of food prompted the maids to try to steal food. But she said that once they were caught stealing several times, they were severely punished and mauled by their employers. At one point, she said that she was forced to eat dog food to survive.

Last week, the DOJ initiated the filing of similar criminal charges against the Tanenglians over the complaint of the first maid, Mary Jane Sollano, who was rescued by authorities in August last year.

Bacanto’s testimony supported that of Sollano. She was the one who reported their ordeal to the family of Sollano after she left Tanenglian’s house, which led to the rescue of the latter.

The DOJ is investigating a similar complaint filed by a third housemaid, Gina Renacia.


Source:
Sun.Star Manila
January 20, 2010
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/lucio-tan%E2%80%99s-bro-faces-new-raps

Bilyonaryong Tsinoy pinakakasuhan na ng DOJ

Inirekomenda na ng Department of Justice (DOJ) ang pagsasampa ng kasong kidnapping, serious illegal detention, 8 counts ng kasong child abuse at anti-trafficking laban sa negosyanteng si Mariano Tanenglian, asawa niti at dalawang anak sa Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC).

Nag-ugat ang kaso matapos nakasuhan ang pamilya Tanenglian ng kanilang dating katulong na si Mary Jane Sollano, 19, nang pagmamaltrato, serious illegal detention, slavery at frustrated homicide.

Batay sa 17 pahinang resolusyon ng panel na inaprubahan ni Chief State prosecutor Jovencito Zuno sinabi nito na 8 bilang ng child abuse at kasong kidnapping ang isinampa sa pamilya dahil na rin sa napatunayan na 13-anyos pa lamang si Sollano nang irecruit ito ng pamilya at gawing katulong sa kanilang bahay sa #30 Biak na Bato st. Quezon City, mula umano nang mamasukan ang biktima ay pinayagan na makalabas ng bahay at makipag-ugnayan sa kanyang pamilya.


Maliban ditto ay nakatanggap din ng pisikal na pang-aabso ang biktima, hindi pagbibigay ng tamang pagkain gayundin ay may insidente na kinuhaan ito ng hubo’t hubad nang mahuli na nang-uumit ng pagkain mula sa refrigerator.

Kinatigan din ng DOJ ang Testimonya ng ama ng biktima na nagsabing hidi niya nakita ang anak simila taong 2004 at nalaman lamang ang kinasasapitan ng anak nag ipagtapat ng isa pang katulong ng pamilya Tanenglian na nakatakas ang ginagawang pagmamaltrato sa biktima. Kasunod na nito ang ginawang pagrerescue kay Sollano.

Gemma Amargo-Garcia
Pilipino Star Ngayon (Page 3)
Enero 15, 2010

DOJ pushes case vs Tanenglians

THE Department of Justice has recommended the filing in court of eight counts of child abuse, kidnapping and serious illegal detention against businessman Mariano Tanenglian, his wife Aleta and their two children based on the complaint against them by their former housemaid Mary Jane Sollano.

The DOJ Task Force on Women and Children Protection also found probable cause against the Tanenglians to charge them with violation of the anti-trafficking in persons law.

Prosecutors said Sollano, 19, was able to establish that respondents employed her as their housemaid for more than five years, as evidenced by a "contract," with an intention to extract forced labor or involuntary servitude from her for five years without salary and under constant condition of harm and threat.

"Within this period, complainant suffered cruelty, physical abuse from the hands of respondents, and had been subjected to a condition prejudicial to her normal development as a child, in violation of RA 7610," the DOJ said, referring to the anti-child abuse law.

Sollano was only 13 when she was recruited from Zamboanga del Sur to work as a housemaid for the Tanenglians in June 2004. She was rescued by police and social workers on Aug. 10, 2009. Sollano said she was subjected to physical and sexual abuse by the Tanenglians.

Evangeline C. de Vera
Malaya
January 15, 2010
Retrieved from http://www.malaya.com.ph/01152010/metroroundup.html

DOJ recommends abuse raps vs Tanenglians

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ)-Task Force on Women and Children Protection has recommended the filing of criminal charges before the Quezon City regional trial court against businessman Mariano Tanenglian, his wife and two children for allegedly abusing their former housemaid.

The DOJ found probable cause to indict Tanenglian, his wife Aleta, and children Fayette and Maximillian for violating Repulic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, Republic Act No. 9208, also known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, and kidnapping and serious illegal detention under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code.

“In this case, all the elements of the aforementioned crime(s) are present. Respondents who are private individuals illegally deprived complainant of her liberty by not allowing her to leave their premises for more than five years despite her refusal to extend her services. This detention was coupled with threat that if she made an attempt to leave, something great harm will happen to her,” the DOJ resolution said.

The DoJ Task Force said the complainant, Mary Jane Sollano, was only 13 when she was employed by the Tanenglians in 2004.

In her complaint, Sollano said she suffered physical and mental abuse from her employers and alleged there were instances they would bang her head on the wall, kick her in the body and slap her face when she made mistakes.

Because of the alleged maltreatment, Solleno sought permission to go home but claimed her employers refused, insisting she finish her two-year contract with them.

But before the contract could lapse, she said Aleta made her sign a document without telling her what it was for, only to find out later that it was a two-year extension of her contract. She thus continued to work for the Tanenglians even as the alleged abuse continued.

She even recalled a time when Aleta and Fayette allegedly took her inside a room to take nude photos of her.

“While complainant filed this present case against respondents for alleged maltreatment, serious illegal detention, slavery and frustrated homicide, this Office is not bound to limit its investigation and findings or probable cause on such criminal allegations. Verily, this Office can determine as many crimes as there may be as long as the allegations are in conformity with human experience and proves the elements of the crimes and supported by the evidence submitted,” the DOJ said.

Sollano’s parents said they lost contact with their daughter for almost five years, leading them to think she was already dead. They added that they learned of her whereabouts only from a fellow maid who managed to escape from the Tanenglian household.

Government authorities and representatives of the Commission on Human Rights, Department of Social Welfare and Development rescued Sollano from the Tanenglian’s residence August 10 last year.


Source:
Dateline Philippines
Posted on Jan. 15, 2010
http://dateline.ph/?p=4702