Maid fails anew; Korina to sue

The Makati Fiscal’s Office has upheld the defense team’s argument for its client, broadcaster Korina Sanchez, against charges of alleged infliction of physical injuries by one Bernadita Inocencio, Sanchez’s former househelp of less than three months.

In a resolution, Makati City Prosecutor Alberto Kalalo said it is safe to assume that the injuries alleged to have been caused by respondents Sanchez and (Paul) Aquino are not compatible with the injuries sustained by complainant."

"Injuries sustained by the complainant were the result of her act of throwing herself on the floor with her arms and feet swinging and flailing," the resulotion stated.

Sanchez’s counsel from the ACCRA law office, headed by lawyers Rollie Vinluan and Trina Prodigalidad, said the decision was a victory for logic and common sense and against a "malicious attempt by destroying the reputation of Sanchez.

"She refused to give in to Incocencio’s abusive whims and because of the earlier case of qualified theft charged against the maid. It was very clear to us that this is why Inocencio failed to even present the findings in the medico-legal report from the hospital where she supposedly had herself examined. We had to secure the certificate ourselves," Prodigalided said.

The lawyer said the small bruises were obviously self-inflicted just as these were described by Paul Aquino.

The case against Aquino, a co-respondent in the physical injuries charge, was also dismissed for lack of evidence.

"Aquino could not be faulted or be held criminally liable for bringing out of compellling complainant to leave and go out fo the unit because (he) had the authority of law… to protect life and property," the resolution said. Prodigalidad pointe dout that the maid has a very similar record with at least two former employers, one of whom described an incident where Inocencio hurdled herself on the floor and started bawling her eyes out claiming she had aready settled a debt with her co-househelp.

"She also had to be bodily taken out of her former palce of employment by security. She was described by her former employer as emotionally unstable," teh lawyer said.

Similarly, the charge of qualified theft against Inocencio was also dismissed for lack of evidence. Sanchez’s lawyers said that they intend to file a motion for reconsideration with the Department of Justice with additional evidence.

The two other charges against Sanchez by Inocencio – regarding alleged non-payment of penion fund contributions and salaries were also earlier dismissed.

The resolution from the DOJ said the maid’s charges was an array of "unsubstantiated imputations…we find no scintilla of evidence to support a finding of probable cause."

Sanchez said she is simply waiting for the resolutions before filing charges of libel, slander, malicious mischief and public scandal against Inocencio. Aquino also intends to sue.

Aquino’s counsel, lawyer Salvador Panelo, said: "My client’s privacy as an ordinary citizen was so rudely invaded and his reputation smeared. Inocencio will have to answer to the law."

Aquino told his lawyer the allegation was "too ridiculous to dignify" but was nevertheless "happy truth prevailed."

Sanchez said it does not follow that because the maid claims poverty she is absolved from crimes.

"No one is above the law. Not only prominent people should be very careful with malicious househelp. Take all precautions with witnesses and written evidence when dealing with househelp. You can never tell. This maid was treated well. She was actually spoiled. This unfortunate incident certainly revealed the extent of evil some people are capable of. She has to be answerable for the lies she peddled," she said.