Couple in maid's abuse meet with Jinggoy. Senator Jinggoy Estrada talks with Annaliza and Reynold Marzan after the couple surrendered before NBI Director Nonnatus Rojas (right) on Monday. The couple denies the allegation that they maltreated their former maid Bonita Baran. Danny Pata

The Senate has taken custody of the couple who was accused of abusing their 21-year-old house helper, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said Monday.
 
"I talked with Justice Secretary [Leila] De Lima and NBI Director [Nonnatus Caesar] Rojas and asked them if they can turn over the couple to the Senate since the Senate has also issued a warrant of arrest against the couple. They obliged naman and I would like to thank Secretary De Lima and Director Rojas for turning them over to the Senate," Estrada told reporters.
 
Estrada said this after Reynold and Analiza Marzan, who were charged for maltreating helper Bonita Baran, surfaced at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) before noon on Monday.
 
"According to them, noong nakausap ko sila kanina sa NBI, natakot na raw sila. Siguro kinukumbinse sila ng mga anak nila at ng kanilang lawyer," he said.

Estrada had sought the arrest of the couple for twice failing to appear before the Senate panel investigating the alleged maltreatment. Vice President Jejomar Binay had even said the government should put up a bounty for the couple's arrest.
 
Estrada said he asked the NBI to give the Senate custody of the couple because they will conduct their last hearing on the issue on Wednesday at 11 a.m.
 
"After the hearing, we will turn them over to the Quezon City Regional Trial Court dahil mayroon din silang outstanding warrant of arrest," he said.
 
The couple is currently being held at the Senate's Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms. – Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK, GMA News