Locsin says ex-ambassador to Brazil Mauro back in Manila, denies diplomats' support for envoy

The Philippines’ former ambassador to Brazil has returned to Manila to face an investigation for allegedly maltreating her household worker, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said Tuesday as he disowned a report that a group of diplomats is supporting the embattled envoy.

Locsin said Marichu Mauro arrived late Monday night.

“She has gone through all health protocols. She’s back in the country,” Locsin said in an interview on CNN Philippines.

A panel was formed by Locsin to look into the series of alleged physical abuse committed by Mauro against her maid as shown by videos released by Brazilian media last week. Mauro was immediately recalled from her post by Locsin.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs  nor am I is aware of the existence of a so-called Department of Foreign Affairs career officers corps and the retired ambassadors association. The reported statement of such organizations on the case of the former ambassador to Brazil does not in any way reflect the position of the department nor the sentiment of its career corps,” Locsin said.

He added that the DFA “stands by its resolve to respond to the matter in accordance with and to the fullest extent of the law.”

Several career diplomats and officers interviewed by the GMA News Online also disowned the so-called statement.  

The DFA is expected to wrap up its investigation in less than two weeks, said Locsin, who will be forwarding the results of the probe to President Rodrigo Duterte.

Locsin said the video showing the abuse committed by Mauro against her helper is “incontestable,” but assured the envoy will be given due process as well as the victim.

“I will get down to the bottom of this,” Locsin said.

The President, he said, can accept or reject the results of the probe, but said “appropriate sanctions” will be meted against Mauro.

The DFA fact-finding team will be led by Consul General to Sydney Ezzedin Tago, Chief of Mission I Jaime Ledda, Narciso Castañeda BAC, and Atty. Ihna Alyssa Marie Santos, FSO IV, HRMO.

Locsin, meanwhile, said the domestic helper, who returned to the country ahead of Mauro, will receive P200,000 assistance from the DFA “ to tide her over the situation where she doesn’t have a job.”

The check will be handed to her as soon as she is out of mandatory quarantine, Locsin said. —KG, GMA News