The country's former ambassador to Brazil should just "quietly vanish into the night" following her dismissal over maltreatment of a household staff member, Malacañang said Tuesday.
(OPS / FILE PHOTO)
Roque said the government could not afford to compromise when it comes to ensuring that officials follow the established norms of conduct and discipline.
"Syempre po, siya po ay mukha ng Pilipinas sa ibang bansa kaya po talagang we cannot compromise as far as conduct of highest officials are concerned lalung-lalo na iyong mga alter egos ng ating Presidente sa iba’t-ibang parte ng daigdig (Of course she is the face of the Philippines in other countries so we cannot compromise as far as conduct of highest officials are concerned especially the alter egos of the President in different parts of the world)," he said.
According to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, there was clear evidence implicating former ambassador Marichu Mauro to the offense that led to her removal from office.
Roque made the latest statement after Mauro reportedly expressed regrets over the incident but insisted she was not given due process during the investigation. The former ambassador claimed the probe was done in haste to meet the calls for alleged mob justice.
"Kung makikita ninyo naman po iyong tape, nakita natin lahat ang mga pangyayari (If you have seen the tapes, everyone saw what happened) so, I think, Ambassador Mauro, the best option is just quietly vanish into the night," Roque said during a televised press briefing Tuesday, March 9.
"Napakahirap pong sabihin na wala siyang pananagutan dahil mayroon po tayong physical evidence. Huwag na po nating ungkatin iyan ‘no dahil malinaw na malinaw po ang mga nakita natin sa pamamagitan po ng teknolohiya (It is difficult to say she has no liability because we have physical evidence. Let's not bring it up again because what we saw was very clear through the use of technology)," he added.
Early this month, the President approved the dismissal of Mauro from office after she was caught on tape for maltreating a Filipino household helper last year. The penalties included cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, perpetual disqualification from holding public office and being barred from taking civil service examination.
Duterte backed the recommendation made by the Department of Foreign Affairs to penalize Mauro for the incident. Mauro was earlier recalled from the post to face an inquiry by the DFA.
In the press briefing Tuesday, Roque said the former diplomat could file a motion for reconsideration or appeal before the Office of the President. He admitted though that the chances of such appeal might be dim given the video evidence.
"She can, of course, move for reconsideration or appeal pero napakahirap po. Hindi ko alam kung ano pang reconsideration ang gagawin niya (but it is very difficult. I don't know what kind of reconsideration she can do) because the decision was rendered by the President himself," he said.