The Department of Labor and Employment is ready to extend assistance to the domestic worker of Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Marichu Mauro who has been recalled for the alleged maltreatment of her household staff.
"We are ready. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and DoLE are ready to extend whatever assistance we can extend to her," Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in an online forum.
The Labor chief said he has talked to the househelp whom he identified as "Leonida."
"I talked to Ms. Leonida earlier today and she is now in Koronadal. She was in a good mood…very jovial," Bello said.
"She's okay. I asked her if she wants to return (abroad) but it seems she doesn’t want to," he added.
Bello, however, said that they didn’t discuss the case between her and the ambassador.
"We didn’t discuss the case between her and Ambassador (Marichu) Mauro because that is not my concern," he said. "What is important is that she is now back in the Philippines and in good hands," added Bello.
He explained why the househelp is not a member of OWWA.
"It didn’t pass through POEA…because of an arrangement that diplomats are allowed to bring some of their personnel. The househelp is one of them," said Bello.