The Commission on Human Rights said it is eyeing possible charges against a barangay captain in Occidental Mindoro over the case of abused helper Silvera “Elvie” Vergara.
“As part of the CHR investigation, we have issued a subpoena to the employers and we are also looking into recommending the filing of charges against the barangay chairman,” the agency said.
“CHR will continue to stand for the rights of the weak, vulnerable, and marginalized sectors,” it added.
During an earlier Senate hearing, Vergara recounted how she was able to escape from her alleged abusive employers in 2021.
Vergara said she sought help from the barangay but one of the local officials allegedly informed her employer of her location.
Barangay captain Jimmy Patal denied the testimony of Vergara.
“This case reveals the vulnerability of domestic workers even in our own country. This is unfortunate considering that the Philippines is among the first countries to affirm the Domestic Workers Convention under the International Labor Organization Convention No. 189, which declares that domestic workers have the right to a safe and healthy working environment,” CHR said.