Ex-PH envoy to Brazil charged for maltreatment of household staff

Recalled Philippine envoy to Brazil Marichu Mauro. (SCREENSHOT: philembassybrasilia.org)

Former Philippine ambassador to Brazil Marichu Mauro was charged for alleged maltreatment of her Filipina staff at her residence in Brasilia, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro “Teddyboy” Locsin Jr. said Monday.

Locsin tweeted the charge was served to Mauro and a corresponding memorandum was delivered right away to the Office of the President.

He explained the charge will be sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Board of Foreign Service Administration (BFSA) for its appropriate recommendation, alongside the four-man panel’s investigation report constituted to look into Mauro’s case.

“Charge served on her at 8:25 a.m. today. I sent a Memo to the President on it. The Hearing Panel’s report and charge will be passed upon and approved/disapproved by the Board of Foreign Service Administration; and finally by the Secretary,” the foreign affairs chief said.

The Philippine president will have the final say on the matter if it involves separation from service, as stated under Section 51 of R.A. 7157, or the Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991.

Locsin added that the remaining process of the former envoy’s case should not take so long.

Mauro had gotten embroiled in a controversy after reports from Brazil media organization GloboNews showed her physically abusing her Filipina helper.