"Maybe the ambassador was unaware that she must conduct herself with tact, subtlety and finesse at all times.”‹"
Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Marichu Mauro apparently forgot that the very essence of her job is to establish and maintain good relations with fellowmen.
Or maybe she was unaware that she must conduct herself with tact, subtlety, and finesse at all times instead of acting like a habitual bully.
Mauro ought to be shameful after local news television exposed security video footage showing her repeatedly maltreating and abusing her household staff in Brasilia.
President Duterte ordered a probe after the said report went viral for all the world to see how she hit, slapped, and threw a mop and other stuff at her household help, an overseas Filipino worker.
Mauro faces the stiffest possible sanctions. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin, Jr. vowed a no-nonsense investigation into the diplomat’s abuses.
The case did not only draw international condemnation for Mauro but also caused great embarrassment for the foreign post, an unfortunate development in view of the growing bilateral relations deeply-rooted in world history.
Filipinos’ relations with the Portuguese can be traced to Ferdinand Magellan, who in 16th century set sail in the name of the Spanish Crown, embarked on the first circumnavigation of the globe, reaching the archipelago — that came to be known as the Philippines – in 1521.
Mauro’s case could not have come at a worse time, as we share with Brazil the extreme difficulties of the pandemic crisis, as thousands of OFWs have been repatriated.
Brazil, with a population of over 211 million, is the largest country in South America. It is known for the Amazon rainforest. Now ranks third as the country with the most COVID-19 cases (over 5.5 million as of Nov. 2, 2020) just behind the US and India.
Senator Bong Go, who is pushing for the creation of the Department of Overseas Filipinos, denounced Mauro’s abuses in the strongest terms.
“As the ambassador, she is supposed to represent the country and President Duterte in that country. What she did is clearly unbecoming of a diplomat and dishonored her high position. 'Di pwede ang pananakit sa kapwa mo Pilipino,” said Sen. Go.
Over 100,000 of an estimated 2.1 million OFWs across the globe have returned home since the outbreak of coronavirus infections.
After their sacrifices away from their families, helping the country’s economy stay afloat over the decades, they now face a bleak future and even discrimination in many instances.
The concerned authorities should get to the bottom of the Mauro case and not confine themselves to the incidents caught on video.
This may just be the tip of the iceberg of widespread abuses committed by some other Philippine ambassadors, consuls, labor attaches, and tourism attaches overseas.
In fact, this case against Mauro immediately reminded me of the “sex-for-flight” exposé of former congressman Walden Bello in 2013 that involved Philippine officials in other embassies in the Middle East.
It came to light that rampant sexual harassment was committed against OFWs needing government services by several Philippine labor officers based in Kuwait.
Female OFWs were pressured to accept "sex-for-flight" deal or offering to facilitate a return flight to the Philippines in exchange for sexual favors.
Mauro’s abuses against her kasambahay showcase the sad plight of the modern-day slaves. This must stop.