Mary Jane Sollano, 18, former house helper of Mariano Tanenglian, talked about her former employer and stated that for five years, she experienced various forms of abuse.
Sollano, had just finished her first year in high school, started work for the Tanenglian household in 2004. She said during those years, her ordeal included not having anything to eat for days, being forbidden to go near the faucet because she was not allowed to drink water, getting chained for the slightest mistake she made, and working for long hours even if she was sick. Add to these numerous occasions of slapping, kicking, and hitting.
She said that during her five years with the Tanenglians, she had to make do with only three sets of shorts and shirts given to her. On August 10, 2009, she was surprised that she was given what seemed a new blouse and a pair of jeans. She was asked to take a bath and instructed to say only good things about her employer when asked. Afterwhich, she was shown a picture of her father, and soon found out that Sollano’s father, Rolando, was already outside, along with representatives from the Commission on Human Rights, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and local police.
Tanenglian’s lawyer, Raymundo Quiroz, denied the allegations against his client and stated that the charges are “part of a bigger issue.” Recently, Mariano Tanenglian has volunteered to testify against his estranged brother, businessman Lucio Tan, in a government case.
However, Sollano’s lawyer, Al Parreño, said that his client and her family are determined to push through with the case.
Sollano, had just finished her first year in high school, started work for the Tanenglian household in 2004. She said during those years, her ordeal included not having anything to eat for days, being forbidden to go near the faucet because she was not allowed to drink water, getting chained for the slightest mistake she made, and working for long hours even if she was sick. Add to these numerous occasions of slapping, kicking, and hitting.
She said that during her five years with the Tanenglians, she had to make do with only three sets of shorts and shirts given to her. On August 10, 2009, she was surprised that she was given what seemed a new blouse and a pair of jeans. She was asked to take a bath and instructed to say only good things about her employer when asked. Afterwhich, she was shown a picture of her father, and soon found out that Sollano’s father, Rolando, was already outside, along with representatives from the Commission on Human Rights, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and local police.
Tanenglian’s lawyer, Raymundo Quiroz, denied the allegations against his client and stated that the charges are “part of a bigger issue.” Recently, Mariano Tanenglian has volunteered to testify against his estranged brother, businessman Lucio Tan, in a government case.
However, Sollano’s lawyer, Al Parreño, said that his client and her family are determined to push through with the case.
Source:
Padua, Reinir, The Philippine Star (Vol. XXIV No. 36 p. 15). Published September 01, 2009. Retrieved from
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=501171&publicationSubCategoryId=65
