By Vir B. LumicaoNo amount of persuasion moved a Filipina domestic worker on May 6 to cooperate in prosecuting her employer and his cousin for letting her work part-time in a pet shop.
Catherine P. Senica, 40, was convicted of one count each of conspiring to defraud and breach of condition of stay on Mar 18 after she pleaded guilty to the charges.
She was sentenced to four months in jail for the first offence, and two months for the second, with the sentences to run concurrently. The jail terms were cut because of Senica’s guilty pleas.
Principal Magistrate Andrew Ma delayed the sentencing after she agreed to help investigators. However, the Filipina changed her mind when she appeared again in Shatin court on May 6.
The prosecutor was applying for an adjournment of the hearing until Jun 3, telling Ma that two persons – the Filipina’s contractual employer Pang Chi-wai and his sister Elaine – had been arrested and pleaded guilty in connection with Senica’s case.
The prosecutor said the domestic helper had cooperated in the investigation that led to the arrests, and that he would not object to any bail application by the maid.
When Ma asked Senica if she had any comment, the Filipina said she did not want to cooperate with the investigators anymore.
“I want to be sentenced right away,” she said, breaking into tears.
“Why? You have given substantive assistance to the prosecution. There’ll be three months deduction to your sentence if you continue to help,” Ma said, to no avail.
“You have nothing to lose if you help. You came here without a duty lawyer. Would you like to have one so he can advise you?” Ma asked, but Senica begged to be sentenced.
Ma reviewed the records of the case and asked the Filipina whose idea it was for her to work in Elaine’s pet shop. The maid said it was Pang, and that she could not refuse because he was her boss and could terminate her contract.
At one point, Ma asked the maid, “Aside from yourself, who do you think should also be punished?” and she replied his boss’ sister Elaine.
Ma told Senica her employer had already been arrested and asked if she wanted to give evidence against him, but she again refused.
