Duterte OKs probe on recalled PH envoy to Brazil over maltreatment allegations

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the conduct of an investigation on Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Marichu Mauro who was recalled over accusations of maltreating a household helper.

Duterte’s former aide and now Senator Christopher “Bong” Go confirmed this in a statement Thursday.

“The impartial investigation will be carried out consistent with relevant provisions of the law, particularly the Foreign Service Act of 1991,” Go said.

Duterte’s spokesman Harry Roque made a separate announcement on the development during his regular Palace press briefing.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin Jr. earlier sought the approval of Duterte to initiate a probe on the issue.

Mauro has been instructed to immediately return to the Philippines after video footage showed her “berating and mistreating her household staff.”

Locsin vowed that the response of the Department of Foreign Affairs on the issue will be “severe to the fullest extent of the law.” He added that appropriate charges will be filed against Mauro should she be proven guilty.

READ: PH ambassador to Brazil recalled over alleged maltreatment of staffer

/MUF