Another househelp accuses Marzan couple of abuse

Another househelp who allegedly suffered at the hands of Reynold and Analiza Marzan has applied for government protection through the Witness Protection Program (WPP).   Evalyn Tanael dropped by the Department of Justice building in Manila on Thursday to personally apply in the program. She was the second househelp after Bonita Baran to accused the Marzan couple of abuse.   Public Attorney's Office head Persida Acosta said Tanael could bolster their case against the Marzan couple, whose alleged maltreatment of Baran has been investigated by a Senate panel. In a report on GMA Network's "24 Oras" on Wednesday, Tanael narrated how Analiza would slap her and pull her hair when she did something wrong. "Pag nagkamali po, lagi ka niyang sinasampal," she said. She said the worst she suffered from Analiza was when she was forced to drink a gallon of water. "Pagkaubos ko po tumakbo po ako sa CR at dinuwal ko 'yung tubig kasi masakit na po tiyan ko," Tanael said. "Nakita ko po siya (Analiza) ngumiti pa."   The Marzans were charged with seven counts of serious physical injury, two counts of attempted homicide, and serious illegal detention in connection with the Baran case.   After refusing to enter a plea, a Quezon City judge handling their case entered the automatic not guilty plea on behalf of the Marzans, who had denied abusing Baran. In the "24 Oras" report, the Marzan couple's lawyer, Jay Fernandez, belittled the surfacing of Tanael. "This is a desperate move from Attorney Acosta," he said. "Yung sinasabi nilang testigo na dumating... kahit limampu pa na ganun iwe-welcome ko na dumating." Fernandez added Tanael's appearance would only help with the "cinematic effects" and not with the case.   The couple has been detained in separate facilities in Quezon City—Reynold at the city jail, Analiza at the female dormitory of the Quezon City Police District in Camp Karingal. They surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation last week.   Acosta said Tanael was hired in 1999 when she was still 14 years old, way before Baran was hired into the Marzan household. — Mark D. Merueñas/KBK, GMA News