Probe on envoy accused of abusing maid needs Duterte approval —Locsin

An approval from President Rodrigo Duterte is needed before the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) could conduct an inquiry on the country's ambassador to Brazil who was caught physically abusing her household helper, DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said Wednesday.

At the same, Locsin vowed that the department's response to the matter "will be severe to the fullest extent of the law."

"The recall of Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Marichu Mauro will enable the DFA to conduct an expedient and thorough investigation into the incidents of physical abuse perpetrated by her against her household staff as shown in the CCTV footage recently aired by a Brazilian news outfit," Locsin said on Twitter.

"But first the DFA will get authority from the Office of the President to proceed as a young lawyer reminded us all or it will be an exercise in futility."

Section 51 of the Foreign Service Act states that: "Chiefs of Mission who are commissioned by the President as ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary shall not be investigated by the Board or separated from the service unless there is an express written directive from the President."

Locsin assured the public that the DFA "will be firm in meting out the appropriate sanctions and administrative or criminal charges on Ambassador Mauro if the results of the DFA's investigation will demand as such."

Pending Duterte's approval, the DFA announced a team has been formed to investigate Mauro, who has yet to issue a statement regarding the issue.

Mauro's Filipina maid left Brazil on October 21 and is back in the Philippines, the DFA said, adding the agency has reached out to her to ensure her well-being and cooperation in the investigation.

"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," Locsin said.

A severe action from the DFA against a high ranking diplomat, Locsin said, would "ensure that matters like these will never be tolerated."

"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," Locsin said.

The DFA, he added, is also reviewing the policy of allowing Filipino diplomats to take Filipino domestic helpers from the Philippines rather than hiring them locally in their foreign posts.

"All our 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," Locsin said. —KBK, GMA News