The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is expected to conduct a fair and transparent investigation on a Filipino diplomat accused of maltreatment of a household staff, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement following reports that Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Marichu Mauro returned to the country Monday to face a probe.
"Hinahayaan po ng Presidente sa DFA ang imbestigasyon at naniniwala naman po kami, magkakaroon nang patas at transparent na imbestigasyon ang DFA (The President is leaving the investigation to the DFA and we believe there will be a fair and transparent investigation by the DFA)," he said during a televised press briefing Tuesday.
So far, Roque said he has no information if the President would meet and talk to the ambassador.
Last week, the President gave the green light for the DFA investigation into the diplomat after a video showed she was maltreating a service staff. The DFA earlier waited the President's consent for the probe since ambassadors are presidential appointees.
Roque said the DFA may recommend administrative and criminal charges against the concerned official if warranted.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. earlier ordered the recall of Mauro from her Brazil diplomatic post after a video clip of the alleged maltreatment surfaced. Locsin has crated a panel to conduct the investigation and assured Mauro will be given due process.