Pinay insists $500 ‘planted’ in wallet

Eastern Magistracy

Despite a judge’s doubts about her defense, a Filipino domestic helper accused of theft is insisting that she was framed up.

Nora L.A. insisted on her innocence at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on November 3 even after Magistrate Abu Bakar bin Wahab said her defense was “thin.”

The domestic worker’s employers had accused her of stealing $500, which was allegedly found in her old wallet.

Nora is claiming that her employers framed her up because they did not want to pay her wages in lieu of notice after terminating her.

However, Judge Wahab was not entirely convinced by Nora’s claim and said so in court during the hearing.

“They don’t want to pay wages in lieu of notice or around $4,000. In order not to pay the amount, the couple fabricated this and is willing to go to court to commit perjury,” Wahab said, laying out Nora’s defense.

However, the magistrate noted that Nora’s female employer was pregnant and was set to give birth on November 7.

“The wife is about to give birth, heavily pregnant…and the money was planted in the defendant’s wallet. Off the cuff, it rather sounds like a thin defense,” Magistrate Wahab said.

Nora was unshaken and insisted that the $500 was planted in her wallet. The case was reset to December 8.

Judge Wahab will no longer be hearing the case after recusing himself because of the comment he made during the hearing.

“I discharge myself from this case. Defendant, you don’t have to worry about any views I expressed,” he said.

The Philippine Consulate General is providing assistance to the domestic helper, who used to work in Hong Kong island.