A FACT-finding team has been created by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to investigate the alleged maltreatment of the household staff employed by the country’s chief diplomat in Brazil.
In a statement, the DFA assured the two parties that due process will be given to both.
“A fact-finding team headed by an ambassador-rank official is now being created to investigate the maltreatment incidents,” the DFA said.
“If prima facie evidence is established by the fact-finding team, the case will be heard by a hearing panel constituted by the Board of Foreign Service Administration,” it added.
On Monday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. ordered the recall of the ambassador to Brazil but did not name the diplomat.
The country’s last ambassador to Brazil was Marichu Mauro, a career DFA diplomat with previous postings in Bahrain, Israel, Belgium and Milan, Italy.
The DFA later issued a statement saying the envoy was recalled “following release of video footages showing her berating and maltreating her household staff.”
It added that they are now reaching out to the household staff to “ensure her well being and cooperation” in the investigation.
