By Prince Golez

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday announced the dismissal of Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Marichu Mauro, who was caught on video maltreating her household service staff.

In his weekly address Monday, Duterte said he approved Mauro’s dismissal from government service “the other day or last night.”

Penalty for the former ambassador, according to him, includes cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, perpetual disqualification to hold public office, and bar from taking civil service examinations.

“That’s how it is. I said, there are rules to be followed. Kung ayaw mong sundin, you take the risk. If something goes wrong, it’s gonna hit you,” the President said.

Mauro was appointed as Ambassador to Brazil in 2018. She also had jurisdiction over Colombia, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.