Give Marichu Mauro ‘presumption of innocence’ – groups

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Career Officer Corps and the Retired Ambassadors Association extended their full support for recalled Philippine ambassador Marichu Mauro, saying the maltreatment incident does not define the envoy’s character.

“We, the DFA’s Career Officer Corps and the Retired Ambassadors Association, hereby express full support to Ambassador Marichu Mauro, who is being pilloried in the social and printed media over the unfortunate incident in Brasilia. That single incident should not define the character of Ambassador Mauro,” the groups said in a statement.

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They added they all know Mauro, a diplomat who has served in diplomatic and consular posts in Manama, Tel Aviv, and Milan. The groups said Mauro assisted numerous distressed overseas Filipino workers.

“She has a very distinguished service record that spans three decades in promoting the welfare of our migrant workers, which is one of the three pillars of our foreign policy,” the statement said.

President Rodrigo Duterte approved the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) investigation against Marichu Mauro.

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Give Marichu Mauro ‘presumption of innocence’ – groups

DFA chief Teodoro Locsin said that Mauro was recalled so the agency could “conduct an expedient and thorough investigation into the incidents of physical abuse perpetrated by her against her household staff as shown in the CCTV footage recently aired by a Brazilian news outfit.”

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

The groups asserted that Mauro should be given due process and should be considered innocent until proven guilty.

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“We also believe that Ambassador Mauro should be accorded the constitutional guarantees of due process, presumption of innocence, and right to counsel instead of being vilified in the media. We should allow her to present her side in a fair hearing,” the statement said.

The groups also noted that Mauro’s private staff had not filed any complaint against her as of now, which is an “indication that she is open to forgiveness.”

“We are all human beings. We are not perfect,” the statement said, quoting the Bible: “He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her.”