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Duterte OKs probe vs PH envoy over helper's abuse

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Jamaine Punzalan, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/10/26/br.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Courtesy of Philippine Embassy in Brazil website</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA (UPDATE) — President Rodrigo Duterte has given the green light for the Department of Foreign Affairs to investigate an ambassador&#x27;s alleged abuse of her Filipina helper in Brazil, Malacañang said Thursday. </p><p>The agency earlier said it needed the go signal of Duterte to proceed with the probe against Philippine envoy to Brazil Marichu Mauro, who was caught on video berating, slapping and pulling the ear of her household service staff. </p><p>&quot;Pinayagan na po ng Presidente ang Department of Foreign Affairs na imbestigahan ang dating Philippine ambassador to Brazil na si Marichu Mauro,&quot; said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. </p><p>(The President has allowed the Department of Foreign Affairs to investigate former Philippine ambassador to Brazil Marichu Mauro.)</p><p>&quot;Bilang isang presidential appointee, kinakailangan po ang pagpayag ng Presidente bago maimbestigahan ang dating Philippine ambassador,&quot; he told reporters. </p><p>(As Mauro is a presidential appointee, the President&#x27;s approval is needed for the former ambassador to be investigated.)</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uywPoQZNSUw?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>Duterte &quot;has always been firm - the protection and promotion of the rights, welfare and well-being of Filipinos overseas is a paramount responsibility of our Government,&quot; said his former aide Sen. Bong Go. </p><p>&quot;Our Ambassadors are duty-bound to carry out this mandate, no questions asked,&quot; the senator said in a statement. </p><p>&quot;The impartial investigation [against Mauro] will be carried out consistent with relevant provisions of the law, particularly the Foreign Service Act of 1991,&quot; he added. </p><p>This law states that “the 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.” </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uywPoQZNSUw?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Wednesday said he would hire the “best guy” to investigate the circumstances surrounding the maltreatment, saying that the person is “the very best in the business” to do the probe. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/28/20/dfa-severe-response-ph-ambassador-brazil-maltreatment-case">DFA says ‘severe’ response awaits PH envoy over aide&#x27;s abuse; President’s OK on probe sought</a></li></ul><p>“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,” he said.</p><p>“Let me reiterate the DFA is giving this matter its utmost attention, true to its core mission of protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers,” he said.</p><p>“All our diplomats are held to an even higher standard by virtue of their profession&#x27;s mandate, not least to be the face of our compassionate country, and sworn commitment to public service.”</p><p>At least two senators have said they were &quot;outraged&quot; upon seeing videos of the ambassador assaulting her Filipina helper, urging the DFA to conduct a &quot;thorough investigation&quot; on the matter. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/27/20/senators-outraged-at-ph-envoys-video-assaulting-pinay-maid">&#x27;Deplorable&#x27;: Senators outraged at PH envoy&#x27;s video assaulting Pinay maid</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/27/20/ople-center-extends-help-to-domestic-worker-maltreated-by-ph-envoy">Ople Center extends help to domestic worker maltreated by PH envoy</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/10/27/20/all-workers-deserve-respect-brazil-reporter-blasts-abuse-of-filipina-by-ph-ambassador">&#x27;All workers deserve respect&#x27;: Brazil reporter blasts abuse of Filipina by PH ambassador</a></li></ul>

<p>President Rodrigo Duterte has given the green light for the Department of Foreign Affairs to investigate an ambassador's alleged abuse of her Filipina helper in Brazil, Malacañang said Thursday. </p>

President Rodrigo Duterte has given the green light for the Department of Foreign Affairs to investigate an ambassador's alleged abuse of her Filipina helper in Brazil, Malacañang said Thursday.

Duterte OKs probe vs PH envoy over helper's abuse

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Duterte OKs probe vs PH envoy over helper's abuse

Jamaine Punzalan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 29, 2020 12:14 PM PHT

|

Updated Oct 29, 2020 02:51 PM PHT

Read More:

Locsin

Brazil

Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Marichu Mauro

maltreatment

DFA Department of Foreign Affairs

GloboNews

Philippine ambassador Brazil

GloboNews Marichu Mauro

PH ambassador to Brazil Mauro

FIlipina maid abused

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