An overseas Filipino worker (OFW), who says he is a staunch supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte in Italy has called on the Philippine government to accord former Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Marichu Mauro with her right to be heard instead of being vilified in social media.

In a letter to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., “Rolando” (not his real name) said that while he does not condone the lady envoy’s acts towards her Filipina household help as shown in the leaked CCTV footage, “the alleged maltreatment might have stained the very distinguished record of Ambassador Mauro.”

Rolando heads both the United DDS Milan and the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte National Executive Coordinating Council (MRRD-NECC) in that country. Working in Italy since 1984, he is currently employed as a "part-time domestic helper."

As an active Filipino community leader in the northern part of Italy, Rolando said he had the opportunity to work “hand in hand” with Mauro when the latter was appointed as Philippine Consul General to Milan” in 2014.

In his November 3, 2020 letter to Locsin, the Italy-based OFW likened the current situation of Mauro to an analogy of the “dot on a piece of paper.”

“This is the dot that tainted Ambassador Mauro - an otherwise good piece of paper. But how about the white sheet which represents her worthwhile qualities and achievements? Should we allow the dot to overshadow the many positive aspects she brought to the plight of the Overseas Filipino Workers especially in Italy?” he wrote.

The Manila Bulletin was able to obtain a copy of the letter and was personally authenticated by Rolando himself through an email.

Rolando outlined in his letter a litany of activities and achievements that transpired under Mauro’s time which he claimed has brought the Consulate “closer to the Filipino community.” He said it was under Mauro when they saw a “dramatic increase” in outreach programs and consular services, as well as in collaborative projects with the Italian government.

While Mauro was still Consul General in 2017, the Philippine government was able to purchase a property which is now the site of the Philippine Consulate General office in Milan.

“A small black spot in a white paper always draws everybody’s attention. And in the case of Ambassador Marichu Mauro, which do we want to see – the sheet of white paper or the black dot?” Rolando said in his letter.

As of this writing, Mauro is still undergoing preliminary investigation by a four-person DFA probe panel following the much-publicized leaked video footage showing her while berating and hurting her household staff at the Ambassador’s residence in Brazil.

DFA Spokesperson Ivy Abalos said if a prima facie evidence can be established, a formal charge will be filed against the embattled envoy. In such an event, Mauro will have up to 10 days to respond to the charges “under oath.”

“Then, a panel will hear the case and make its findings and recommendations depending upon the merits of the case,” Abalos told reporters.