Senate orders arrest of employers who allegedly abused their household helper

The Senate on Wednesday ordered the arrest of a couple accused of of inflicting serious physical injuries on their former household help. In an Order of Arrest signed by 13 senators (or majority of the Senate), the chamber cited in contempt Analiza and Reynold Marzan for failing to show up in two hearings of the committee on labor which is investigating their alleged maltreatment of Bonita Baran. The Marzans did not appear in two committee hearings despite the issuance of a subpoena last August 15.

The Senate’s warrant was issued as the couple is already being tried by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 77 for the serious illegal detention and the physical abuse of Baran. The court had also earlier issued its own warrant of arrest for the couple.   Baran has claimed in several hearings and interviews that Analiza ironed her face--causing almost complete blindness--and repeatedly hit her head and other body parts during the years she worked for the couple.    The couple has denied the allegations in an interview with GMA News. The Marzans suggested, instead, that Baran’s injuries were self-inflicted.    The Marzans’ lawyer, Jess Fernandez, reiterated his clients’ counter-argument during the Senate’s labor committee hearings. — DVM/ELR/RSJ, GMA News