Duterte approves investigation against PH envoy for assistant abuse

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has allowed the Department of Foreign Relations to investigate the alleged abuse of an ambassador to her Filipino aide in Brazil, Senator Bong Go said Thursday.

The agency previously said it needed Duterte’s signal to continue the investigation against the Filipino envoy in Brazil, Marichu Mauro, who was caught on video reprimanding, slapping and pulling domestic service personnel by the ear.

Duterte “has always been steadfast: protecting and promoting the rights, welfare and well-being of Filipinos abroad is a primary responsibility of our government,” said Go, his former assistant.

“Our ambassadors have a duty to carry out this mandate, without asking questions. In light of the seriousness of the allegations against the ambassador, the president has given the green light to proceed with the investigation of the official in question, as recommended by the Secretary. Foreign Relations, “the senator said in a statement.

“The impartial investigation will be carried out in accordance with the relevant provisions of the law, in particular the Foreign Service Law of 1991,” he added.

This law establishes that “the heads of mission who are commissioned by the President as extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors will not be investigated by the Board or separated from the Service unless there is an express directive in writing from the President”.

Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said Wednesday that he would hire the “best guy” to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abuse, and said the person is “the best in the business” to do the investigation.

“Under my leadership, the DFA will in no way tolerate the actions of any of its officers or rank-and-file personnel that go against our core mandate, which is to promote and protect the well-being of all Filipinos abroad,” he said. .

“Let me reiterate that the DFA is paying the utmost attention to this matter, true to its primary mission of protecting the rights and promoting the well-being of Filipino workers abroad,” he said.

“All of our diplomats are held to an even higher standard by virtue of the mandate of their profession, especially to be the face of our compassionate country and their sworn commitment to public service.”

At least two senators have said they were “outraged” by watching videos of the ambassador attacking her Filipino aide, urging the DFA to conduct a “full investigation” into the matter.