Roque to ex-envoy in maltreatment case: Vanish into night

MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine ambassador to Brazil Marichu Mauro should just “vanish into the night” rather than contest President Duterte’s decision to dismiss her for maltreating her household helper, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a press briefing yesterday.

He said it would be hard for Mauro to argue with the video footage of the incident that cost her her job.

“We have seen what happened. So I think, Ambassador Mauro, the best option is just quietly vanish into the night. It’s hard to say that she has no accountability because we have physical evidence,” Roque said.

Mauro was recalled from her post last October after videos showing her maltreating a helper surfaced.

Duterte announced her dismissal from the service on March 1. The dismissal disqualified her from working in government and forfeited her retirement benefits.

Mauro has announced a plan to go to court to obtain an “unbiased judgment” on her case.

Asked if Mauro is no longer welcome in the Duterte administration, Roque replied, “Not just in this administration, till Kingdom come po. That’s her punishment.”