Ex-RP envoy accused of labor abuse, trafficking, to sue maid
MANILA, Philippines - A multi-awarded Filipino diplomat who is accused by his own maid of human trafficking, racketeering and forced labor said that he may file counter-charges against the housekeeper.
In an interview with radio dzXL, former Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations Lauro Baja Jr. said on Monday that he was shocked by the allegations of Marichu Suarez Baoanan, the 39-year-old former domestic helper who accused the Bajas of maltreating her some two years ago.
Baoanan, reportedly a nursing graduate, also said the family is engaged in the human trafficking business.
In their defense, Baja belied the allegations and has employed the help of their friend - a New York lawyer - to determine the steps to counter Baoanan's claims.
"Sabi ng abugado tignan natin kung magfafile ba tayo ng damages (My lawyer said we have to decide if we will file damages)," said Baja.
The former envoy said he suspects Baoanan just wants to evade deportation so she filed the cases.
According to Baja, when Baoanan left their house less than three months after arriving in the US, she became an illegal alien and is subject to deportation. Under the US law, a foreign worker will not be deported until the case he or she filed in the court against his or her employer is resolved.
The Filipino domestic worker filed the cases against Baja, his wife Norma, and daughter Elizabeth Baja-Facundo in the New York Southern District Court in the United States.
Baoanan, who said she arrived in the United States in January 2006, alleged that the Bajas forced her to work 16 hours daily but she was paid only $100 for three months and another $100 for taking care of Facundo’s son. She complained of verbal abuse from Norma Baja.
She also claimed she was made to sleep on the basement of the Philippine Consular residence in New York with only a thin blanket on the cold floor.
According to migrant group Migrante International, Baoanan said she arrived in the US using a red diplomatic passport that Norma Baja arranged with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) after payment of P250,000 fee. The original package, Baoanan said, costs P500,000.
She said she was made to believe that the fees would cover transportation costs, a visa and work permit for a nursing job in the US. But upon arriving in New York, Baja allegedly told her she has to work as a domestic helper in the ambassador’s household for six months to pay the money she owed.
According to a profile from website globalpolicy.org, Baja is a multi-awarded diplomat and went to top universities like the University of the Philippines and Oxford University.
In 2003, Malacañang conferred the Order of Sikatuna - with the rank of Datu - to Baja in acknowledgment of his meritorious service as a diplomat and personnel of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
He was also awarded Outstanding Ambassador of the Year in 1991, in Brazil.
For its part, Migrante International asked President Macapagal Arroyo on Sunday to look into the cases filed against the Bajas.
“We challenge the newly elected Vice President to the UNHRC Erlinda Basilio to take the lead in investigating the charges against the former UN Security Council President and to ensure that no white wash takes place, if indeed the Philippines is bent on upholding human rights in the UN body," said Migrante chair Connie Bragas-Regalado.
The Philippines recently won the vice-presidency of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said on Monday, however, that Malacañang is going to let Baja deal with his case, according to a separate dzXL report. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV
In an interview with radio dzXL, former Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations Lauro Baja Jr. said on Monday that he was shocked by the allegations of Marichu Suarez Baoanan, the 39-year-old former domestic helper who accused the Bajas of maltreating her some two years ago.
Baoanan, reportedly a nursing graduate, also said the family is engaged in the human trafficking business.
In their defense, Baja belied the allegations and has employed the help of their friend - a New York lawyer - to determine the steps to counter Baoanan's claims.
"Sabi ng abugado tignan natin kung magfafile ba tayo ng damages (My lawyer said we have to decide if we will file damages)," said Baja.
The former envoy said he suspects Baoanan just wants to evade deportation so she filed the cases.
According to Baja, when Baoanan left their house less than three months after arriving in the US, she became an illegal alien and is subject to deportation. Under the US law, a foreign worker will not be deported until the case he or she filed in the court against his or her employer is resolved.
The Filipino domestic worker filed the cases against Baja, his wife Norma, and daughter Elizabeth Baja-Facundo in the New York Southern District Court in the United States.
Baoanan, who said she arrived in the United States in January 2006, alleged that the Bajas forced her to work 16 hours daily but she was paid only $100 for three months and another $100 for taking care of Facundo’s son. She complained of verbal abuse from Norma Baja.
She also claimed she was made to sleep on the basement of the Philippine Consular residence in New York with only a thin blanket on the cold floor.
According to migrant group Migrante International, Baoanan said she arrived in the US using a red diplomatic passport that Norma Baja arranged with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) after payment of P250,000 fee. The original package, Baoanan said, costs P500,000.
She said she was made to believe that the fees would cover transportation costs, a visa and work permit for a nursing job in the US. But upon arriving in New York, Baja allegedly told her she has to work as a domestic helper in the ambassador’s household for six months to pay the money she owed.
According to a profile from website globalpolicy.org, Baja is a multi-awarded diplomat and went to top universities like the University of the Philippines and Oxford University.
In 2003, Malacañang conferred the Order of Sikatuna - with the rank of Datu - to Baja in acknowledgment of his meritorious service as a diplomat and personnel of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
He was also awarded Outstanding Ambassador of the Year in 1991, in Brazil.
For its part, Migrante International asked President Macapagal Arroyo on Sunday to look into the cases filed against the Bajas.
“We challenge the newly elected Vice President to the UNHRC Erlinda Basilio to take the lead in investigating the charges against the former UN Security Council President and to ensure that no white wash takes place, if indeed the Philippines is bent on upholding human rights in the UN body," said Migrante chair Connie Bragas-Regalado.
The Philippines recently won the vice-presidency of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said on Monday, however, that Malacañang is going to let Baja deal with his case, according to a separate dzXL report. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV
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