FOREIGN Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has formed a fact-finding team that will look into allegations of maltreatment against Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Marichu Mauro, signalling the start of the investigation.
In a tweet, Locsin said the Fact-Finding Team will have as team leaders Consul General Ezzedin H. Tago, Sydney Philippine Consulate General: former Philippine Ambassador to Netherlands Jaime B. Ledda CM1; Narciso T. Castañeda Bids and Awards Committee, and Atty. Ihna Alyssa Marie Santos, FSO IV, Human Resource Management Office.
Earlier the Office of the President gave the Department the permission to start the investigation of Mauro who was seen on CCTV camera hitting her Filipino household worker on several occasions while in her residence in Brazil.
“I received Presidential Directive no. 2020-196 directing the DFA to investigate the alleged abusive conduct of the Philippine Ambassador to Brazil confirming his verbal authorization,” Locsin said.
He added “presidential approval which triggers the formation of the hearing panel which shall submit a report to the Board of Foreign Service Administration which shall submit its recommendation to the Secretary who shall submit HIS recommendation to the President. It starts NOW.”
The DFA has 15 days to submit a report to the Presidential Management Staff, according to another tweet by Locsin.
“If there’s [a] prima facie case, I issue a Formal Charge prepared by OTLA (Office of Treaties and Legal Affairs),” Locsin said.
Locsin immediately issued an order recalling Mauro after a news outlet from Brazil, GloboNews, released video footage where Mauro was seen physically abusing her household help multiple times on different occasions inside her residence.
