A top Catholic official in Manila dubbed as “shameful” the reported maltreatment of a Philippine embassy household staff in Brazil by no less than the Filipino ambassador.
Bishop Ruperto Santos of the Episcopal Commission on Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People said the conduct of the official was “unbecoming of a public servant.”
The prelate said it was “a very shameful action of a government official … unworthy to represent (the country) and an “affront to our true nature of hospitable, helpful and honest people.”
Bishop Santos, who is also prelate of the Diocese of Balanga, said it is “just and fair” to protect the maltreated household staff member.
“We always do everything for the protection and promotions of the rights and dignity of migrants, and yet we have our own co-national and in government office who violates and abuse our own people,” said the prelate.
“This is shameful, scandalous and sinful,” he said.
The Philippines’ Foreign Affairs department has ordered Ambassador Marichu Mauro to return home this week after video footage showed her “mistreating” a Filipino domestic helper.
Mauro, who was posted to Brazil in 2018 and also had jurisdiction over Colombia, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela, was under investigation, the Foreign Affairs office said.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs has instructed the Philippine Ambassador to Brazil to return home immediately following release of video footages showing her berating and mistreating her household staff,” read a statement from the department.
The announcement came after Brazil’s GloboNews broadcast security camera footage which they said showed Mauro repeatedly assaulting a female member of her household staff.
GloboNews said the woman worked at the ambassador’s official residence in the Brazilian capital of Brasilia.
The images — dated from March to October — were used as evidence in a complaint lodged against Mauro in late August, it said.