Inaprubahan na ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang hakbang ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) na paimbestigahan ang isang ambassador na nakatalaga sa Brazil, dahil aniya sa pang-aabuso nito sa kayang katulong, pahayag ng Malacañang noong Oktubre 29.
Unang binalak ng ahensya na paimbestigahan, alinsunod sa pag-apruba ni Duterte, si Philippine envoy to Brazil Marichu Mauro, na nakunan ng video na inaalipusta, sinasampal, at hinihila ang tenga ng kanyang Pilipinang kasambahay.
“Pinayagan na po ng Presidente ang Department of Foreign Affairs na imbestigahan ang dating Philippine ambassador to Brazil na si Marichu Mauro,” ani Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
Dagdag pa nito, “Bilang isang presidential appointee, kinakailangan po ang pagpayag ng Presidente bago maimbestigahan ang dating Philippine ambassador.”
Ayon naman kay Senador Bong Go, na dating assistant ng pangulo, nananatiling may paninindigan ang pangulo sa “promotion of the rights, welfare and well-being of Filipinos overseas”.
“Our Ambassadors are duty-bound to carry out this mandate, no questions asked,” pahayag ni Go.
Dagdag pa nito, “The impartial investigation [against Mauro] will be carried out consistent with relevant provisions of the law, particularly the Foreign Service Act of 1991.”
Nakasaad sa batas na: “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.”
Sinabi naman ni DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. na iha-hire niya ang “best guy” para paimbestigahan ang pangyayari hinggil sa insidente ng pangmamaltrato.
“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,” giit ng kalihim.
Dagdag pa nito, “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.”
