Camille Acojedo, 18 and May Cachuela, 22, claimed they suffered physical and verbal abuse after being hired to work for Soriano on June 18.
They complained that Soriano would constantly hurled expletives at them.
“Noong una okay naman po siya kasi si ma’am kapag may bisita, mabait po talaga siya,” Acojedo said. “Naranasan ko kay ma’am talaga ‘yong pagmumura niya.. hindi namin masikmura ‘yong pagmumura niya… kung gaano kalutong, parang pinapakain sa amin ‘yong mura niya.”
According to Acojedo, there were times that they would miss their meals just to attend to the veteran actress’ needs.
Cachuela added: “Laging may mura, magpapaabot lang siya. Si ma’am, ayaw niyang konting mangatwiran kami. Gusto niya lagi siyang tama.”
The final straw, they said, happened on June 29 when Soriano allegedly kicked Cachuela.
“May recording daw po siya so ‘yon nag-aayos kami ng mga gamit niya may hinahanap siyang kulay yellow, di ko alam bitbit ng isang katulong namin. Tapos hinanap na ‘yong bilog, pang-make up daw po niya. Hindi namin mahanap, ‘yon nagwala, nagmumura. Sabi niya, ‘Papatayin ko kayo,’” Cachuela said.
Cachuela said she was crying when Soriano asked her to get her cigarette case. This, she said, made the actress even more furious.
“Noong binigay ko ang cigarette case, sinipa niya po ako. Sabi ko, ‘Ma’am masakit, masakit po.’ Sabi niya, ‘Iiyak ka pa. Magpa-medical ka kung gusto mo. Hindi ako natatakot sa’yo. Mag-demanda ka. Marami akong pera, hindi mo ako kaya,’” Cachuela recounted.
She said Soriano also allegedly threatened to shoot her. The actress was about to get her gun when her son intervened in the argument, the household worker added.
The abuse continued after Soriano returned home from work on the same day, she said.
It was then that the household workers sought the help of the security guards and the building administrator of the condominium where Soriano is staying. They said they agreed to hide them.
They also recounted their ordeal to columnist and radio commentator Mon Tulfo, whose staff helped them get out of the area.
“The Buzz” said the camp of Soriano has accused the maids of stealing, but the 2 vehemently denied the allegations.
Soriano has yet to issue a statement on the controversy.
Barangay officials will conduct a hearing on the complaint filed by the household workers against Soriano on July 6.
If Soriano refuses to attend the hearing, reports said the complaint will be brought to the police.
Cachuela claimed that household workers before them had also suffered the same fate.
She said they just chose not to pursue a case against the actress. She vowed to fight the case until the end.
