Locsin: Team formed to investigate recalled envoy for staff abuse
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 4:38 p.m.) — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Friday confirmed that the investigation into the recalled ambassador to Brazil's alleged abuse of her household staff has begun.
"I received Presidential Directive No. 2020-196 directing the DFA to investigate the alleged abusive conduct of the Philippine Ambassador to Brazil confirming his verbal authorization; we have 15 days to report to the Presidential Management Staff," Locsin said on Twitter.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque on Thursday confirmed that President Rodrigo Duterte gave the foreign affairs department the go signal to proceed with the probe on recalled Ambassador to Brazil Marichu Mauro who has been accused of mistreating her household staff.
The top diplomat also revealed that he constituted a fact-finding team led by the following officials:
- Sydney Philippine Consulate General Ezzedin Tago
- Former Ambassador to the Netherlands Jaime Ledda
- Ambassador to Oman Narciso Castañeda
- Lawyer Ihna Alyssa Marie Santos, Foreign Service Officer IV at the Human Resources Management Office (HRMO)
"Administrative proceeding initiated by Show Cause Order. HRMO conducts a Preliminary Investigation whose report goes to me," Locsin said, outlining the flow of the investigation. "If there's prima facie case, I issue a Formal Charge prepared by [the Office of Treaties and Legal Affairs]," he added.
Locsin also explained that Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991 required him to first seek the president's approval before subjecting an ambassador to a formal investigation — this was confirmed by Roque as well.
According to the secretary, President Rodrigo Duterte's approval of the investigation "triggers the formation of the hearing panel."
This hearing panel, in turn, will submit a report to the Board of Foreign Service Administration which will then submit its recommendation to Locsin. Finally, Locsin will submit his recommendation to the chief executive.
Video footage first obtained by a Brazilian network shows Mauro physically abusing a Filipina domestic worker under her employ. Sen. Ping Lacson, who chairs the Commission on Appointments Committee on Foreign Affairs, on Wednesday told reporters that it was his office that submitted a copy of the footage to the DFA.
Brazil's GloboNews identifies the victim as a 51-year-old Filipino who worked in the ambassador's official residence behind the embassy's main building.
The CCTV footage recorded from the diplomatic residence was used as evidence in a complaint against Mauro in late August, the report said. DFA previously said the domestic worker left Brazil on October 21 and is back in the Philippines.
DFA: Financial assistance worth P200,000 sent to envoy's former household staff
A few hours later, the foreign affairs secretary again took to his Twitter account to say that he reached out to the domestic worker formerly employed by Mauro to offer her financial assistance.
"I am reaching out to her with financial help right now as an OFW, without any conditions because we are DFA not animals; we help the helpless period, no exchange; helping is its own exchange," Locsin said. "Just sent her P200,000 to tide her over. She doesn’t have to do or say anything for it," he added.
Just sent her P200,000 to tide her over. She doesn’t have to do or say anything for it. It’s hers for being what she is: an OFW. Plus it’s her tax money. [https://t.co/KaL7kt5ONf](https://t.co/KaL7kt5ONf)
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) October 30, 2020
The DFA on Monday revealed that it was reaching out to Mauro's former household staff "to ensure her wellbeing and cooperation in the investigation."
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