MANILA – Former Philippine ambassador to Brazil Marichu Mauro claimed her dismissal from service due to maltreatment of her Filipina worker was “railroaded” by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
In a lengthy statement on Wednesday, Mauro said she was not given due process by the DFA Hearing Panel as it “deliberately” disregarded all the evidences presented, including the alleged tampered videos.
“There were heavy deficiencies committed by the DFA Hearing Panel,” Mauro said. “My case was even mishandled. It was railroaded to the point that important pieces of evidence were deliberately not given due attention.”
“It was as if the intention was to make an example of me. Absent was the support and solidarity that I at least expected from the DFA that I have passionately and fervently worked for, for many years,” she added.
Mauro further said that DFA should have considered her behavior towards her 51-year-old Filipina worker “was merely a severe lapse in judgment especially under the stress of managing an Embassy with the threat of the pandemic.”
Mauro regretted the incident and has already made amends with the Filipina helper, who the former described as “disinterested” in the case and was even absent during the trial.
“I completely regret the incidents in the videos and the shame it has brought upon the DFA. I want to reassure the public that I have made amends and have deeply regretted my behavior,” Mauro said.
“I have asked my kasambahay’s forgiveness, which she has given,” she added. “She has been working with me for 30 years and what happened between us can be considered a family matter.”
As a response to the dismissal, which was approved by President Rodrigo Duterte recently, Mauro said she and her lawyer plan to “obtain an unbiased judgement” from the court.
Meanwhile, in response to Mauro’s planned appeal, DFA secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. stands by the decision to recommend her dismissal based on the video evidence but respects her right to make an appeal.
“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 and dried. If wrong full penalty,” Locsin said last night. “She’s appealing it in court. That is her right.”/PN
