DFA no longer allows its diplomats to take along domestic staff abroad

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is no longer allowing its diplomats to bring domestic staff to their assignments abroad to prevent a repeat of the maltreatment of a Filipino helper in the hands of Manila’s then-ambassador to Brazil, Marichu Mauro.

“DFA no longer allows domestic staff to go with officers assigned abroad. They must apply to POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration). I ceded full authority to it,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said in a tweet Tuesday.

DFA no longer allows domestic staff to go with officers assigned abroad. They must apply to POEA. I ceded full authority to it. POEA sets $400 or $600 as minimum salary deposited in domestic's bank account plus other safeguards. It cannot happen again. https://t.co/8LPk6j44tN

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) March 2, 2021

“POEA sets $400 or $600 as minimum salary deposited in domestic’s bank account plus other safeguards. It cannot happen again,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte has dismissed from service Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Marichu Mauro, who was earlier caught on video maltreating her female household helper.

Mauro’s dismissal comes with the cancellation of her eligibility, forfeiture of her retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification from holding public office. She was also barred from taking civil service exams, according to Duterte.

In October last year, Mauro was recalled to the Philippines after footage showed her “berating and mistreating her household staff.” The DFA then launched an investigation of the incident.

Mauro, a career diplomat, was appointed ambassador to Brazil in 2018. She had also been posted in Belgium and Italy, among other assignments.

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