IN the wake of an embarrassing episode seen by millions of television viewers and in social media where a Filipino ambassador is shown maltreating her household helper, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Wednesday said he is reviewing the policy of allowing Filipino diplomats to take Filipino domestic helpers from the Philippines rather than hiring them locally in their foreign posts.
“Let me reiterate the Department of Foreign Affairs is giving this matter its utmost attention, true to its core mission of protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers.”
And even as the DFA is preparing to investigate allegations of maltreatment and cruelty against the country’s envoy to Brazil, Marichu Mauro, Locsin assured that the first order of business is to get President Duterte’s approval.
“But first the DFA will get authority from the Office of the President [OP] to proceed, as a young lawyer reminded us all or it will be an exercise in futility.” The directive to first consult the OP is contained in Section 51 of the Foreign Service Act.
Mauro’s alleged maltreatment of a 51-year-old Filipina household helper was exposed on a Brazilian television station, showing her twisting the ear of the helper on several occasions in what appears to be a uniquely Filipino form of corporal punishment.
But according to Locsin, all Filipino diplomats are held to an even higher standard by virtue of their profession’s mandate, “not least to be the face of our compassionate country, and sworn commitment to public service.”
He said President Duterte has been clear from the beginning of his term that his administration will do everything to protect the rights of every single Filipino worker abroad.
“Rest assured, the DFA’s response on this matter will be severe to the fullest extent of the law especially when it involves a high ranking DFA official setting an example to ensure that matters like these will never be tolerated.”
Locsin said Mauro’s recall “will enable the DFA to conduct an expedient and thorough investigation into the incidents of physical abuse perpetrated by her against her household staff.”
“Under my leadership, the DFA will not tolerate in any way whatsoever actions by any of its ranking officers or staff that go against our primary mandate, which is the promotion and protection of the welfare of all overseas Filipinos.”
He added the DFA will be firm in meting out the appropriate sanctions and administrative or criminal charges against Ambassador Mauro “if the results of the DFA’s investigation will demand as such.”
The household staff left Brasilia on October 21 and is back in the Philippines. The DFA said in a statement that it wants to ensure her well-being and cooperation in the investigation.
Dates on the CCTV footage listed the incident took place in March, August and twice in October this year.
It could not be determined who brought the CCTV footage of the incident to the TV station, which was taken from the official residence of Mauro.
When asked whether another disgruntled household worker was complicit in the expose, or whether such action of revealing the CCTV content of Mauro’s official residence constitute a security breach, the DFA said it would be part of the investigation.