Former Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Marichu Mauro is deeply saddened by the decision of President Duterte to dismiss her from the service.
(PNA / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
She said she felt betrayed by the manner in which the investigating panel of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) “mishandled” her case.
On Monday, President Duterte announced that he has signed the dismissal of Mauro for alleged abuse of her household help.
According to Duterte, Mauro's dismissal comes with the cancellation of her eligibility, forfeiture of her retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification from holding public office. Locsin, in a tweet on Tuesday, described the President's decision to dismiss Mauro as "harsh."
Mauro finally broke her silence over the controversial video footage showing her while purportedly maltreating her household help that became viral in October last year.
She said she opted to remain silent all the while trusting that the DFA probe team will follow the prescribed procedures in investigating what really happened, and to “uphold my right to due process and follow the rule of law.”
“Unfortunately, this did not happen. For some reason, the DFA hearing panel totally disregarded the documentary evidence that my lawyers and I have painstakingly gathered, reviewed, and submitted to them. The case was railroaded to the point that important pieces of evidence were deliberately not given due attention,” the embattled diplomat said in a statement sent to the Manila Bulletin.
‘FAMILY DYNAMICS’
In presenting her case, Mauro begged the public’s understanding of the “family dynamics” involved in the incident between her and her 51-year-old kasambahay (household aide) from Mindanao.
The career diplomat explained that the Filipino household help has been employed on and off with her family for over 30 years, and they even grew up together.
“What the public doesn’t realize is that there were heavy family dynamics involved. It is this familiarity that has caused me to cross boundaries I would never cross. It is this same familiarity that my kasambahay has also crossed on many occasions,” she said.
At the onset when the incident was first reported, Mauro pointed out that the household help was never an active participant in the case and they parted “amicably” when the latter left her work.
She also clarified that the kasambahay was never involved in the release of the video footage to the Brazilian media and even refused to be interviewed when sought for comment at the airport when she was about to leave Brazil.
“My kasambahay has always considered this a family matter to be resolved within the family. Her silence and refusal to appear before the public despite heavy encouragement to do so is a testament to her desire to keep this matter within the family. However, despite refusing to lodge formal charges against me, the Department of Foreign Affairs still actively pursued her and recommended my dismissal,” the former envoy said.
BETRAYAL
Mauro lamented the failure of the DFA to practice due diligence in looking at her record as a "fine diplomat" for 26 years or even try to determine whether her behavior was merely a severe lapse in judgment especially under the stress of managing an Embassy with the threat of the pandemic.At the onset of Mauro’s investigation, several overseas Filipinos from various countries where she previously served sent their letters of support attesting to her character that is contrary to what was shown in the “uncontextualized” video footage that went viral.
“I wish the DFA had considered the letters of support from overseas Filipinos attesting that I am not the cruel person depicted in those uncontextualized videos. I wish the DFA has considered my kasambahay’s own statements putting context on our relationship and how we regard each other,” she said.
From the start, Mauro said she felt that there was a sense that the department has an urgent need to proceed with her case with great expediency.
“It was as if the intention was to make an example of me. Absent was the support and solidarity that I at least expected from the DFA that I have passionately and fervently worked for, for many years,” she recalled.
BEHIND THE VIDEO
What the video depicted to the public, according to Mauro, was that she was cruel to OFWs. She maintained that the DFA did not correct this negative public impression.
“I felt that right from the very start when public outcry became evident, DFA stepped back and watched how the event unfolded on its own while the public, including some politicians, continued to berate and judge my character,” the former ambassador narrated, adding that the issue was used over and over to make her an example of an abusive official.
She said her former superiors in the DFA and the many Filipino communities that she had protected and helped in many countries would attest to this.
Mauro believed that the selected footages were “illegally and stealthily obtained”, patched together, and eventually released to the Brazilian media to shame and embarrass her.
This, she said, can be gleaned from the affidavits of Philippine Embassy personnel in Brazil attesting that a serious breach of security through illegal wiretapping was committed by the Brazilian local hires, one of whom was hired with DFA’s authority.
“The video footages were taken out of context and created a negative public impression that judged my character as a person and competence as a seasoned diplomat, she said.
REGRETS
Despite the unfavorable outcome of her case, Mauro expressed her regret over the incidents in the videos and the shame it has brought upon her organization, the DFA, and to her kasambahay.
“I have relayed this several times to the DFA authorities, including the Secretary (Teodoro Locsin Jr.) himself. I want to reassure the public that I have made amends and have deeply regretted my behavior. I have asked my kasambahay’s forgiveness, which she has given,” she said.
Given her current, circumstances, Mauro said she and her lawyers are constrained to resort to the courts to “obtain and unbiased justice.”
“I fully understand why Secretary Locsin wants to appear to be standing up for the rights of my kasambahay, but should it be at the expense of my own human right to be given due process? Had my case been handled fairly, I would have wholeheartedly accepted the result,” she said.
The very start when public outcry became evident, DFA stepped back and watched how the event unfolded on its own while the public, including some politicians, continued to berate and judge my character,” the former ambassador narrated, adding that the issue was used over and over to make her an example of an abusive official.
She said her former superiors in the DFA and the many Filipino communities that she had protected and helped in many countries would attest to this.
Mauro believed that the selected footages were “illegally and stealthily obtained”, patched together, and eventually released to the Brazilian media to shame and embarrass her.
This, she said, can be gleaned from the affidavits of Philippine Embassy personnel in Brazil attesting that a serious breach of security through illegal wiretapping was committed by the Brazilian local hires, one of whom was fired with DFA’s authority.
“The video footages were taken out of context and created a negative public impression that judged my character as a person and competence as a seasoned diplomat, she said.