Dismissed ambassador says she regrets hurting household help

The Philippines’ former ambassador to Brazil who was removed from post after being caught on video maltreating her household worker asked for forgiveness on Wednesday, saying that she deeply regretted her actions.

According to JP Soriano’s report on “24 Oras,” President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday announced that Marichu Mauro has been removed from her post while her retirement benefits were revoked.

“Hindi ko na-control ang sarili ko. I know it was wrong. It was really wrong. And I will ask for forgiveness. I am deeply remorseful of what happened,” Mauro said.

In October 2020, Mauro was ordered "to return home immediately following [the] release of video footage showing her berating and mistreating her household staff."

Mauro, meanwhile, said that she was aware of the CCTV at the Brazil Embassy as she was the one who had it placed and was in control over it.

She further said that her helper was her friend with who she grew up together, adding that their bond was similar to that of sisters.

“What the public does not know is that there were family dynamics involved, no? It is this familiarity that caused me to cross the boundaries that I would never cross, she said.

According to Mauro, she “lost control” and “was under tremendous stress” when she maltreated her helper.

“So nagawa ko ‘yun and I deeply, deeply regretted my behavior. May mga wrongdoings tayo sa buhay natin. Wala naman sa ating perpekto. But pinagsisihan ko ‘yun. I regretted my behavior,” she said.

Mauro said the maltreatment happened amid the lockdown in Brazil due to the coronavirus disease pandemic.

She asked for forgiveness from her helper’s family and the public.

“There is no justification for that incident. I am remorseful of what happened. I wish it didn’t happen. Humihingi ako ng tawad sa inyong lahat. I have made amends already. I regretted my behavior,” she said.

“You know that only proves na tao lang talaga tayo at perhaps I was affected by the COVID lockdown that contributed to my stress, anxiety,” she added.

Mauro also pleaded not to be judged because of the incident.

The former ambassador served the Department of Foreign Affairs for more than 26 years as a career diplomat.

“Buong buhay ko sa DFA was about overseas Filipino workers. That’s why I’m very sad that based on the video, people have this impression that I am a person cruel to overseas Filipinos. It is not true. And my work in the DFA will attest to that,” she said.

Mauro further said that the DFA did not judge her case fairly.

“I wish the DFA also considered the letters of support from overseas Filipinos attesting that I never mistreated anyone,” Mauro said.

“I also wish that the DFA considered my kasambahays own statements putting context on our relationship and how we regard each other. Unfortunately, lahat ng bagay na ito, the DFA did not do,” she added.

The context is that the helper has been with her family for 30 years and might be a distant impecunious relative; these things happen in traditional Filipino families. Familiarity breeds insensibility. Sadly it was videotaped. But the law is cut & dried. If wrong full penalty. https://t.co/qN4F9IoAJW

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) March 3, 2021

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. responded to Mauro’s remarks.

“The context is that the helper has been with her family for 30 years and might be a distant impecunious relative; these things happen in traditional Filipino families,” Locsin said in a tweet.

“Familiarity breeds insensibility. Sadly it was videotaped. But the law is cut and dried. If wrong full penalty,” he added.  -Joahna Lei Casilao/NB, GMA News