After Mauro’s dismissal, govt revises HSW rules for envoys

GOVERNMENT officials posted on foreign assignments would no longer be authorized to bring with them Filipino domestic staff, but would still be allowed to keep household service workers (HSW) officially listed with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., announced the new ruling on Twitter in the wake of the dismissal from the diplomatic service of former Ambassador to Brazil, Marichu Mauro, who was caught on closed-circuit television abusing her 51-year-old female household helper.

“DFA no longer allows domestic staff to go with officers assigned abroad. They must apply to POEA,” Locsin tweeted.

He added that he ceded full authority to POEA, which sets $400 to $600 as minimum salary “deposited in domestic’s bank account plus other safeguards. It cannot happen again.”

Overseas Filipino workers (OFW) advocate, Susan “Toots” Ople, thanked Locsin for the speedy ruling on the Mauro case, “making sure the case of Ambassador Mauro did not drag on like other admin cases did, before this administration.”

“Kudos to President Duterte for his decisive action. The videos said it all. Both sides were heard. Sana wala ng kasunod [Hopefully, we would see no more of this incident again].”

Ople told Locsin she is aware it was not easy to recommend Mauro’s dismissal “given that her peers handled the case, then there could be no doubt about the outcome.” “May this serve as a reminder to all diplomats to treat kasambahays [househelpers] with respect and dignity,” she added.

The sorry incident occurred in October 2020 after the video reportedly taken from security cameras in the ambassador’s residence in brasilia and shown by a Brazilian news agency, showing a woman attacking somebody who appeared to be a housekeeper.