Court issues new arrest warrant vs Tanenglian, family (The Philippine Star)

A Quezon City judge has issued a new warrant of arrest and hold departure order against Mariano Tanenglian and his family due to criminal charges filed against them by a former maid.

Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 102 Judge Ma. Lourdes Giron issued a seven-page order after finding probable cause for violation of the Anti-Child Abuse Law (RA 7610) in five cases pending against Mariano, his wife Aleta, and children Fayette and Maximilian.

Giron set bail at P80,000 for each count of the charges against the Tanenglians by their former housemaid, Mary Jane Sollano.

Giron, however, cleared the Tanenglians of charges for alleged violation of the Anti-Trafficking of Persons and for kidnapping and serious illegal detention, both unbailable offenses.

The judge said the complainant was not forced to render service to the accused since the complainant was first recruited by an employment agency and later deployed to the Tanenglian household.

Giron also said there was no illegal detention because it was necessary for the maid to stay at the house of the accused.

Quezon City RTC Branch 94 Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria also issued a warrant of arrest and directed the issuance of an HDO against the Tanenglians in connection with similar charges filed earlier by Aljane Bacanto, another former maid of the Tanenglians.

The Tanenglians also have pending cases before Branch 94 for nine counts of violating RA 7610, Republic Act 9208 (Anti-Trafficking of Persons Act), kidnapping, and serious illegal detention.

Members of the women’s group Gabriela attended the hearing in a show of support. Lana Linagan, Gabriela secretary general, said they hope the arrest warrants are served to show that justice does not discriminate between the poor and the rich.

The parents of the two maids, who were present at the hearing, said they would pursue the separate cases of their children and would not accept any settlement if any was offered.

Lawyers of both parties declined to comment citing the confidential nature of Family Court proceedings. Both Branch 102 and 94 are Family Courts.


Source:
Jerry Botial, The Philippine Star
June 05, 2010
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=581383&publicationSubCategoryId=65

Taipan’s brother gets another arrest warrant (Manila Standard Today)

Mariano Tanenglian—-taipan Lucio Tan’s brother—-again faces arrest over criminal charges filed by another former maid.

In an order dated May 18, 2010, Branch 102 Judge Ma. Lourdes Giron of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court also directed the issuance of a hold departure order on him, wife Aleta along with children Fayette and Maximilian for violation on five counts of the Anti-Child Abuse law.

“Allegations in the affidavit of the private complainant would reveal that there is more of an abuse or maltreatment committed by the accused,” the court ruled.

A bail of P80,000 was set for each of the charges filed against the Tanenglians by former maid Mary Jane Sollano for maltreatment.

But Giron has cleared them of violating the Anti-Trafficking of Persons law, and for kidnapping and serious illegal detention which are unbailable.

She found no showing of involuntary servitude because Sillano was recruited by an employment agency which placed her in the Tanenglian household.

Last May 4, QC RTC Branch 94 Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria issued a warrant of arrest and hold order against the accused on similar charges filed by former maid Aljane Bacanto.

A women’s advocacy group led by Grabriela secretary general Lana Linagan attended Friday’s hearing on the accused’s motion to quash.

“We hope that the warrants of arrest would be eventually served to show that justice does not discriminate between the poor and the rich,” she said, urging lawmakers to pass a measure affording better protection for household service providers.

Also at the hearing were the maids’ parents who vowed to pursue the separate cases of their children and reject any settlement, if offered.

Lawyers of both parties, refused to make any comment, citing the confidentiality of Family Court proceedings.

Complainant Bacanto was represented by counsel Al Parreno with lawyer Jose Flaminiano for the Tanenglians.

In her complaint filed before the Department of Justice, Bacanto said from the time she was hired in May 2006, the accused restricted her to the residence. She was also not given enough food and her salary remained unpaid.

Source:
Roy Pelovello, Manila Standard Today
June 5 - 6, 2010
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideMetro.htm?f=2010/june/5/metro2.isx&d=2010/june/5

Bagong warrant, HDO inisyu vs utol ni Lucio Tan (Pilipino Star Ngayon)

Nagpalabas ng panibagong warrant of arrest at hold departure order (HDO) ang Quezon City court laban kay Mariano Tanenglian, kapatid ni Tycoon Lucio Tan, at sa pamilya nito kaugnay ng kasong kriminal na isinampa laban sa kanila ng dating kasambahay na si Mary Jane Sollano na nag-aakusang minaltrato siya ng mga naging amo.

Sa 7-pahinang desisyon na ipinalabas noong Mayo 18, 2010 ni QC Regional Trial Court (QC RTC) Branch 102 Judge Ma. Lourdes Giron ipinag-utos nito ang pagpapalabas ng warrant of arrest at HDO laban sa mga Tanenglian matapos mabatid na may batayan ang inihaing limang kaso ni Sollano kaugnay ng paglabag sa Anti-Child Abuse Law (R.A. 7610).

Kabilang sa mga akusadong bababaan ng mga warrant sina Mariano, ang asawa nitong si Aleta, at mga anak na sina Favette at Maximilian.

“In sum, the allegations in the affidavit of the private complainant would reveal that there is more of an abuse or maltreatment committed by the accused against the former,” pahayag ni Judge Giron. Nagtakda ng P80,000 piyansa ang korte para sa bawat kasong naihain laban sa mga akusado.

Sa kabilang dako, ipinawalang-sala naman ni Judge Giron ang mga Tanenglian sa paglabag sa Anti-Trafficking of Persons, kidnapping at serious illegal detention—na pare-parehong hindi napipiyansahang kaso.

Ayon sa hukom hindi umano pinuwersa ng pamilya ang nagrereklamo na mamasukan sa kanila sapagkat nagmula ito sa isang employment agency bago maitalaga sa bahay ng mga akusado.

Wala rin umanong iligal na pagkulong na naganap dahil importante sa isang kasambahay na manatili sa bahay ng kanyang amo.

Nauna na si QC RTC Branch 94 Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria na nag-isyu ng warrant of arrest at nag-atas na maglabas ng HDO laban sa mga Tanenglian na kaugnay naman sa kasong inihain ng isa ring dating kasambahay na si Aljane Bacanto.

Source:
Angie dela Cruz, Pilipino Star Ngayon
June 05, 2010
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=581326&publicationSubCategoryId=93

Arrest warrant, HDO for tycoon’s brother (People's Journal)

A QUEZON City court ordered the issuance of another warrant of arrest and hold departure order for the brother of tycoon Lucio Tan and his family in connection with the charges filed against them by their former housemaid.

Judge Ma. Lourdes Giron ordered the arrest of Mariano Tanenglian, his wife Aleta and their two children after finding probable cause to indict them for violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law in five sets of cases pending against the accused.

“In sum, the allegations in the affidavit of the private complainant would reveal that there is more of an abuse or maltreatment committed by the accused against the former,” the judge said.

The case against the Tanenglians was filed by their ex-maid Mary Jane Sollano.

The court set a bail of P80,000 for the accused for each of the five charges filed against them.

However, Giron cleared the accused of the charges of violation of the Anti-Trafficking of Persons and for kidnapping and serious illegal detention, both non-bailable offenses.

The judge said there was no involuntary servitude committed by the accused since the complainant was first recruited by an employment agency and later deployed to the Tanenglian household.

The court added there was no illegal detention because it was necessary for the maid to stay at the house of the accused.

Last May 4, Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria issued an arrest warrant against the Tanenglians in connection with similar charges filed by Aljane Bacanto, another former maid of the accused.

In yesterday’s hearing, the accused filed a motion to quash the warrant of arrest and HDO issued against them.

Source:
Melnie Ragasa-Jimena, People's Journal
June 4, 2010
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/metro/11015-arrest-warrant-hdo-for-tycoons-brother.html

New warrants, hold orders for tycoon's brod over child abuse raps (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

A Quezon City Judge has issued new hold departure orders and warrants for the arrest of Mariano Tanenglian, brother of businessman Lucio Tan, and his family in connection with the criminal case filed against them by a former maid.

Judge Lourdes Giron of Regional Trial Court Branch 102 ordered the arrest of Tanenglian, his wife Aleta, and children Fayette and Maximilian after finding probable cause that they violated the Anti-Child Abuse Law.

The court however cleared the accused of other charges for violation of the Anti-Trafficking of Persons, for kidnapping and for serious illegal detention.

“In sum, the allegations in the affidavit of the private complainant would reveal that there is more of an abuse or maltreatment committed by the accused against the former,” the court said.

The case before Giron was filed by their former househelp, Mary Jane Sollano, who alleged that her employers maltreated her in the five years that she worked for them, starting when she was still 13 years old.

The court set a bail of P80,000 for the accused for each of the eight counts of child abuse against them.

In clearing the Tanenglians of the other charges, Giron said there was no involuntary servitude committed by the accused as the complainant was recruited by an employment agency and later deployed to the Tanenglians.

The court also said there was no illegal detention because it was necessary for the maid to stay at the house of the accused.

The Tanenglians are also facing another case filed by another former housemaid, Aljane Bacanto, before Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria of RTC Branch 94.

Charges pending before Branch 94 are for nine counts of violation of the Anti-Child Abuse Law, violation of Republic Act 9208 or Anti-Trafficking of Persons, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention.

The Tanenglians have filed a motion to quash the warrants of arrest and hold departure orders before Branch 94.

Source:
Julie M. Aurelio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted June 4, 2010
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view/20100604-273843/New-warrants-hold-orders-for-tycoons-brod-over-child-abuse-raps

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

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

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

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.

Click here for stories and updates on the Sinulog 2010 Festival.

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

Criminal raps filed vs Lucio Tan’s bro

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has recommended the filing of criminal charges against businessman Mariano Tanenglian, his wife Aleta, and their two children for eight counts of child abuse, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention filed by their household help.

Tanenglian is an estranged brother of tycoon Lucio Tan.

In a 17-page resolution, the DOJ Task Force on Women and Children Protection also found probable cause against the Tanenglians to charge them with violations of the anti-trafficking in persons law.

The criminal charges were filed before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court based on the complaint filed by Mary Jane Sollano, 19, who accused her employers of alleged maltreatment, serious illegal detention, slavery and even frustrated homicide.

“The uncontroverted accounts of witnesses that for more than five years they have no knowledge of complainant’s whereabouts, that they have to rescue her from the respondents with the help of DSWD, CHR and QCPD, the fact that they were compelled to sign the documents presented to them by respondents’ lawyer as a condition before complainant could be released, and the fact that they received a big amount of money (P137,000) from the respondents bolster the findings that probable cause exist that crimes under RA 7610 and 9208 were committed by the respondents,” the task force said.

Prosecutors said Sollano was able to establish that respondents received and employed her as their housemaid for a period of 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.

Based on records, Sollano was only 13 years old when she was recruited from her hometown in Zamboanga del Sur to work as a housemaid in the Tanenglian residence in June 2004. She was rescued by police and social workers on August 10, 2009.

According to Sollano, she endured a lot of hardships, even physical and sexual abuse, in the hands of her employers.

She said upon her arrival at the Tanenglian residence, she was locked up, not allowed to communicate with relatives, and was kicked, slapped, and suffered various physical abuses even for minor mistakes.

The DOJ gave credit to the claims of Sollano that at one time Aleta and daughter Fayette allegedly took nude pictures of her while hitting her with an iron bar and thick slippers.

In another instance, Fayette allegedly poured hot water on Sollano’s hands when she was caught stealing food, while son Maximillian allegedly chained her hands and neck to the point of choking her when she was caught getting food from the refrigerator.

Sollano claimed she was forced to steal food because she was deprived of food for several days.

As regards the case of trafficking, the Task Force said that respondents admitted receipt of Sollano and even presented a contract signed by Mariano showing that the complainant was employed as a housemaid.


Source:
Sun.Star Manila
January 14, 2010
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/criminal-raps-filed-vs-lucio-tan%E2%80%99s-bro

3rd maid files abuse raps vs Mariano Tan, family

A third housemaid has filed charges against businessman Mariano Tan and his family before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegedly abusing her.

Gina Renacia, 33, accused Tan; his wife, Aleta; and children Maximillian and Fayeete for supoosed “maltreatment, serious illegal detention, slavery and frustrated homicide.” The Philippine National Police (PNP) endored her complaint to the DOJ.

Renacia, according to the complaint, was 15 years old when Tan and his family employed her as a housemaid.

“In November 1992, victim Renacia… suffered physical and mental abused from the afore-named respondents thereby causing physical and emotional distress upon her person,” stated the complaint signed by Senior Police Officer 1 Florence Costanilla of the PNP Women’s Desk.

Renacia said she was allegedly beaten, forced to shave her head and slapped whenever she did something wrong. She also said that in November 1992, Aleta alleged pressed a hot iron against her back, and she had to be treated at the Philippine General Hospital.

Earlier this year, former housemaids Mary Jane Sollano, 18, and Aljane Bacanto, 19, separately filed similar complaints before the DOJ.

In her affidavit, Bacanto said she was allegedly not allowed to go out of the Tan residence ”not even once” in barangay Siena, Quezon City from May 2006 until she was given permission to go back to her province last February.
Just like Sollano, Bacanto said 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 Fayette reportedly told her what to write.

“They made me a slave, without a salary and enough food,” she said.
Bacanto said she was only given food whenever her employers were satisfied with her job. She said the refrigerators in the house were padlocked and there were many instances when she was not able to eat for three consecutives days.

She said she and her fellow maids were caught stealing food and were harshly punished. She said she was beaten several times by Aleta, Feyette and Maximillian. She said she was even forced to eat dog food just to survive.
Sollano, who was rescued last Aug. 10 after Bacanto told Sollano’s parents about her plight, told police she suffered “physical and mental abuses” at the hands of the Tan family since she started her employment in july 2004.
Sollano said she and other maids were allegedly “ not allowed to use the telephone or cellphone, talk to fellow house helpers, laugh, sit in their (family’s) chairs look outside the window, watch TV, eat at any time, sleep or rest before our tasks were completed, and read any material or write.”
She said she tried to escape by asking permission to go their home province of Zamboanga del Sur but her employers for bade her, sayin she had to finish her two year contract.

When her contract ended in 2006, Aleta reportedly called a lawyer and told Sollano to sign a new contract without reading its contents. She only learned later on that she signed another contract for another two years of service with the Tans.

Sollona said Aleta and Feyette once brought her to a room took nude photos of her. ”When they were not yet satisfied, they would hit me with steel (pipes) or slippers, and threaten me that they would show my a nightclub owned by Ate Aleta’s Friend,” Sollano said.

She said Fayette once poured hot water on her hands after they caught her eating their food, and that they chained her hands and neck in such a way that she found it difficult to breathe.

Sollano’s alleged ordeal ended when she was rescued by Quezon City police officers and personnel from the Commission on Human Rights and the Department of Social Welfare and Development last Aug.10.
Sollano and her parents had a tearful reunion after five years without any contact.

When sought for a reaction, Tan’s camp said the Allegations were “part of a bigger picture.” Tan is the estranged brother of businessman Lucio Tan.
“As we all know somebody is trying to stop our clients from testifying at the Sandiganbayan,” Tan’s Lawyer, Raymund Quiroz, said. He added that they will answer all charges once they receive a copy of the complaint.

Edu Punay
The Philippine Star, Page 19
December 07, 2009

Kasambahay kinalbo, plinantsa

PANIBAGONG kaso ng pagmamaltrato at pang-aabuso ang isinampa ng isa pang kasambahay ng bilyonaryong Intsik at sa pagkakataong ito, ang pinakahuling biktima ay kinalbo ang buhok at pinaso pa ng plantsa ng kaawa-awang biktima.
Ang Kasambahay, si Gina Renacia, 33, ay pormal na nagharap ng sumbong sa Department of Justice, laban sa bilyonaryong akusado na si Mariano Tan, asawa notong si Aleta Adeline at anak nilang si Junjun Tan.

Si Renacia ay nagbigay din ng salaysay kay SPO1 Florence A. Costanilla ng PNP Women’s Desk.

Ayon sa sumbong, matagal nang naninilbihan bilang kasambahay ang biktima sa pamilya Tan at sa tuwing nagkakamali umano ito sa gawaing bahay, sinasampal siya ng mga ito sa magkakahiwalay na pagkakataon at kung minsan kinakalbo rin ang kanyang ulo.

November 1992, ayon pa sa biktima, nang pasuin ng plantsa ni Mrs. Tan ang likod ng biktima dahilan para isugod siya sa Philippine General Hospital.

Kung matatandaan, dalawa pang kasambahay ang nagharap ng sumbong sa Quezon City police laban sa pang-aabuso at pangmamaltrato ng mga ito sa kanila. Si Mariano, ay kapatid ng business tycoon na si Lucio Tan at isa rin ito sa sinasabing isa sa 20 pinaka-mayamang tao sa bansa.

Ang isa sa mga kasambahay ay tumakas sa pamilya Tan, habang ang isang biktima naman ay nirescue sa mansiyon ng mga Tan, sa #30 Biak na Bato St., corner Dapitan St., Sto.Domingo ng nasabing lungsod.

Nauna nang nagharap ng pormal na sumbong ang dalawang biktima na tinukoy sa pangalang Mary Jane Sollano, 18, tubong Zamboanga del Sur, at Aljane Bacanto, 19, mula sa Leyte. Sila ay sinamahan ng abogadong si Al Parreno sa QCPD station 1 para ipagharap ng sakdal ang pamilya Tan.

Anang abogado, ang mga biktima ay nasa ilalim ngayon ng ‘counseling’ sa tulong ng Teresita Ang See’s Kaisa Foundation na may adbokasiyang tulungan ang mga inaabusong kababaihan sa bansa.

Police Files, Pahina 2
Disyembre 7,2009

3rd maid files charges against Mariano Tanenglian

A THIRD housemaid from the household of businessman Mariano Tanenglian has filed criminal charges against him and his family before the Department of Justice for illegal detention and serious physical injuries sustained during her 15-year stay with the Tanenglians.

Complainant Gina Renacia accused Tanenglian, his wife Aleta and children Adeline and Junjun of causing her mental and physical abuse since she began working for the family when she was just 15 years old.

Renacia is the third housemaid of the Tanenglians to lodge a complaint before the DOJ, after Mary Jane Sollano and Aljane Bacanto, who were rescued from the Tanenglian house in Quezon City and have filed similar charges earlier.

Tanenglian is the estranged brother of tycoon Lucio Tan.

Based on the information filed by the PNP Women’s Desk, through SPO1 Florence Costanilla, Renacia claimed that during her stay in the Tenglian household, she was repeatedly beaten up, forced to shave her head and slapped. At one point in November 1992, Aleta pressed a hot iron to her back, and she had to undergo treatment at the Philippine General Hospital.

Lawyer Al Parreno, who is the counsel of the three maids, said the victims are now undergoing counseling through Teresita Ang See’s Kaisa Foundation which helps battered women.

Source
Evangeline C. de Vera, Malaya. Published December 7, 2009. Retrieved from
http://www.malaya.com.ph/12072009/metro5.html

3rd maid files abuse raps vs Mariano Tanenglian, family

MANILA, Philippines - A third housemaid has filed charges against businessman Mariano Tan and his family before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegedly abusing her.

Gina Renacia, 33, accused Tan; his wife, Aleta; and children Maximillian and Fayette for supposed “maltreatment, serious illegal detention, slavery and frustrated homicide.” The Philippine National Police (PNP) endorsed her complaint to the DOJ.

Renacia, according to the complaint, was 15 years old when Tan and his family employed her as a housemaid.

“In November 1992, victim Renacia… suffered physical and mental abuse from the afore-named respondents thereby causing physical and emotional distress upon her person,” stated the complaint signed by Senior Police Officer 1 Florence Costanilla of the PNP Women’s Desk.

Renacia said she was allegedly beaten, forced to shave her head and slapped whenever she did something wrong. She also said that in November 1992, Aleta alleged pressed a hot iron against her back, and she had to be treated at the Philippine General Hospital.

Earlier this year, former housemaids Mary Jane Sollano, 18, and Aljane Bacanto, 19, separately filed similar complaints before the DOJ.

In her affidavit, Bacanto said she was allegedly not allowed to go out of the Tan residence “not even once” in Barangay Siena, Quezon City from May 2006 until she was given permission to go back to her province last February.

Just like Sollano, Bacanto said 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 Fayette reportedly told her what to write.

“They made me a slave, without a salary and enough food,” she said.

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

She said she and her fellow maids were caught stealing food and were harshly punished. She said she was beaten several times by Aleta, Fayette and Maximillian. She said she was even forced to eat dog food just to survive.

Sollano, who was rescued last Aug. 10 after Bacanto told Sollano’s parents about her plight, told police she suffered “physical and mental abuses” at the hands of the Tan family since she started her employment in July 2004.

Sollano said she and other maids were allegedly “not allowed to use the telephone or cell phone, talk to fellow house helpers, laugh, sit in their (family’s) chairs, look outside the window, watch TV, eat at any time, sleep or rest before our tasks were completed, and read any material or write.”

She said she tried to escape by asking permission to go to their home province of Zamboanga del Sur but her employers forbade her, saying she had to finish her two-year contract.

When her contract ended in 2006, Aleta reportedly called a lawyer and told Sollano to sign a new contract without reading its contents. She only learned later on that she signed another contract for another two years of service with the Tans.

Sollano said Aleta and Fayette once brought her to a room took nude photos of her. “When they were not yet satisfied, they would hit me with steel (pipes) or slippers, and threaten me that they would show my nude photos to other people or bring me to a nightclub owned by Ate Aleta’s friend,” Sollano said.

She said Fayette once poured hot water on her hands after they caught her eating their food, and that they chained her hands and neck in such a way that she found it difficult to breathe.

Sollano’s alleged ordeal ended when she was rescued by Quezon City police officers and personnel from the Commission on Human Rights and the Department of Social Welfare and Development last Aug. 10.

Sollano and her parents had a tearful reunion after five years without any contact.

When sought for a reaction, Tan’s camp said the allegations were “part of a bigger picture.” Tan is the estranged brother of businessman Lucio Tan.

“As we all know somebody is trying to stop our client from testifying at the Sandiganbayan,” Tan’s lawyer, Raymund Quiroz, said. He added that they will answer all charges once they receive a copy of the complaint.

Source:
Edu Punay, The Philippine Star. Published December 07, 2009. Retrieved from
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=530150&publicationSubCategoryId=65

Another maid files case against Lucio Tan’s brother

MANILA, Philippines—Brother of business tycoon Lucio Tan has been slapped anew with a criminal complaint before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for serious illegal detention and serious physical injuries for abusing another househelp.

In a criminal complaint filed Friday with the DOJ, the complainant Gina Renacia M. Renacia, 33, accused Mariano Tanenglian and his wife Aleta, and children Adeline and Junjun of abusing her.

“It appears that herein victim Renacia, then a 15-year old minor, was formerly employed as housemaid at the residence of the afore-named respondents. Investigation disclosed that sometime in November 1992, victim Renacia, while working as “kasambahay” at the said abode, suffered physical and mental abused from the afore-named respondents thereby causing physical and emotional distress upon her person.” the complaint stated.

Renacia filed the complaint before PNP Women’s Desk SPOI Florence A. Costanilla.

She said she was beaten up, forced to shave her head and slapped whenever she did something wrong. In fact, sometime in November 1992, Aleta pressed a hot iron to her back.

She said she was forced to undergo treatment at the Philippine General Hospital.

Two former maids of the family of Tanenglian had earlier filed complaints of illegal detention and physical injuries against their employer before the Quezon City police.

One of the housemaids escaped while the other was rescued by authorities on Aug. 10 from the Tanenglian residence at 30 Biak Na Bato corner Dapitan St. , Sto. Domingo Village.

Mary Jane Sollano, 18, who hails from Zamboanga del Sur, and Aljane Bacanto,19, from Leyte , went to Station 1 of the QCPD to file the complaint for serious illegal detention and physical injuries. They were accompanied by their lawyer Al Parreno.

Parreno said Sollano has been staying at the Tanenglian household for five years, while Bacanto served the family for three years. The two claimed to have been maltreated, not paid wages and barred from going out of the house

Source:
Tetch Torres, INQUIRER.net
December 6, 2009
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20091206-240459/Another-maid-files-case-against-Lucio-Tans-brother

Isa pang maid nagreklamo vs Mariano Tanenglian

Isa pang kaso ng illegal detention at serious physical injuries ang isinampa ng isang housemaid laban sa negosyanteng amo nito.

Sa kasong isinampa sa Deparment of Justice (DOJ), inakusahan ng complainant na si Gina Renacia, 33-anyos, ang among si Mariano Tan at kapamilya nitong sina Aleta, Adeline at Junjun Tan ng kasong pang-aabuso.

“It appears that herein victim Renacia, then 15-year old minor, was formerly employed as housemaid at the residence of the afore-named respondents. Investigation disclosed that sometime in Nov. 1992, victim Renacia, while working as ‘kasambahay’ at the said abode, suffered physical and mental abused from the afore-named res­pondents thereby causing physical and emotional districts upon her person,” nakasaad pa sa reklamo.

Nagsampa ng reklamo si Renacia kay SPO1 Flo­rence A. Costanilla ng PNP Women’s Desk.

Ayon sa biktima, maraming beses siyang sinaktan ng kanyang mga amo, kinalbo ang kanyang ulo at pinagsasasampal kapag nakakagawa ng mali.
Pinlantsa umano ni Aleta ang likod ng biktima noong Nobyembre 1992 at siya’y nagpagamot sa Phi­lippine General Hospital.

Samantala, dalawang dating katulong ni Mariano Tanenglian, kapatid ni business tycoon Lucio Tan, ang nauna na ring nagsampa ng reklamo ng illegal detention at physical injuries laban sa kanyang employer, sa Quezon City police.

Isa sa mga biktimang katulong ang nakatakas habang na-rescue ng mga awtoridad ang kasama nito noong Agosto 10 mula sa bahay ng Tanenglian sa #30 Biak na Bato kanto ng Dapitan St., Sto. Domingo Village.

Ang mga biktimang sina Mary Jane Sollano, 18-anyos, na tubong Zamboanga del Sur at Aljane Bacanto, 19, ng Leyte, ay nagtungo sa QCPD kasama ang kanilang abogadong si Al Parreno upang ireklamo ang among si Mariano kasama ang asawa nito at dalawang anak.
Limang taong nanilbihan si Sollano sa Tanenglian family habang si Bacanto ay tatlong taon nang namamasukan.

Ayon sa mga biktima, sila ay minaltrato, hindi binabayaran ng sweldo at pinagbabawalang lumabas ng bahay.

Nagawang makatakas ni Bacanto at mabilis na isinumbong sa pamilya ni Sollano ang sinapit nila.

Agad naman na humi­ngi ng tulong ang pamilya Sollano sa Department of Social Welfare and Deve­lopment (DSWD).

Ayon kay Atty. Melanie Trinidad, sa pakikipagnegosasyon sa pagpapalaya kay Sollano, kinausap umano siya at ang ama ni Sollano ng Tanenglian family counsel na pumirma ng waiver na hindi sila maghaharap ng kaso laban sa kanila (Tanenglian).

Ang nasabing kaso ay hinahawakan ngayon ni Parreno ng Diaz, Parreno and Caringal Law Office bagama’t tumutulong pa rin si Atty. Trinidad.
Ayon kay Parreno, ilang kaso na ang hinawakan niya mula sa Station 1 at siya’y nag-volunteer ng kanyang serbisyo sa mga biktimang kasambahay na ngayon ay sumasailalim sa counseling sa pamamagitan ng Kaisa Foundation ni Teresita Ang See na tumutulong sa mga battered women.

Source:
Abante Tonite (Vol XXI Blg 310 p. 2) Published December 7, 2009
Abante (Vol. XXII Blg. 216 p. 6)Published December 7, 2009. Retrieved from
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/dec0709/crimes03.htm