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An investigation team tasked with investigating allegations of “cruelty” against the country’s envoy to Brazil, Ambassador Marichu Mauro, was formed after the Department of Foreign Relations (DFA) received the signal to continue the Malacañang investigation.
“That [the investigation] it starts now, ”said Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr ..
The country’s top envoy said he received Presidential Directive 2020-196 “ordering the DFA to investigate the alleged abusive conduct of the Philippine ambassador to Brazil, confirming his verbal authorization.”
“We have 15 days to inform the presidential management staff,” Locsin said in a series of tweets.
The team, he added, will be made up of the Consul General in Sydney, Ezzedin H. Tago; The ambassador to the Netherlands, Jaime B. Ledda; Narciso Castañeda from the DFA Bid and Award Committee; and Atty. Ihna Alyssa Marie Santos from the department’s Human Resources Management Office (HRMO).
Locsin explained that the administrative procedures will start by issuing a “just cause” to the parties involved. “HRMO will conduct a preliminary investigation, after which a report will be sent to the DFA Secretary’s Office.”
“A very good team!” Said Susan “Toots” Ople, advocate for Filipino Overseas Workers’ Rights (OFW), adding that Ambassador Tago was the former envoy to Saudi Arabia, while Ledda used to be Consul General in Macau.
“I hope you can communicate with the aggrieved domestic worker. Sila na sana pumunta is a worker from kesa papuntahin pa sa DFA. (They should visit the worker instead of asking her to go to DFA, ”added Ople.
“I am approaching her with financial aid right now as OFW, without any conditions because we are DFA, not animals; we help the defenseless period, without exchange; helping is your own exchange. It’s our job to help, said Locsin, a Harvard-trained attorney.
He added: “If there is a prima facie case, I make a formal charge prepared by OTLA. [Office of Treaties and Legal Affairs], in accordance with Section 51 of RA 7157 “.
He said that the heads of mission commissioned by the president as ambassadors will not be subjected to a formal investigation without presidential approval, “which triggers the formation of the hearing panel, which will present a report to the Foreign Service Administration Board, which shall [then] submit their recommendation to the Secretary, who will present his recommendation to the President ”.
DFA sources said Mauro is expected to return to Manila on or before November 6 to confront the investigation team and comply with the withdrawal order issued by Locsin earlier this week.
