Three Pinay maids testify in Ambassador Primavera's sex harassment complaint
Three Filipina former maids of embattled Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Shulan Primavera claimed that although they did not witness the alleged molestation of their fellow Filipina maid “Mabel,” they said it was possible.
The three maids told a DFA fact-finding team that they noticed that Mabel seemed to be the favorite of Primavera, who arrived in the Philippines on Wednesday. The Ambassador has repeatedly denied the claims.
In a written testimony provided to GMA News by her lawyer, Mabel said she was molested by Primavera thrice:
(1) Third week of February 2012
(2) Second week of March 2012, and
(3) Second week of April 2012.
In an interview of GMA News host Arnold Clavio for the “Unang Hirit” program, one maid alleged that Primavera asked Mabel if she already had a boyfriend.
Another maid alleged that Primavera sometimes looks at Mabel with "malicious intent."
Primavera, however, denied ccusations that he molested Mabel, a 28-year-old single woman.
“I wish to assure you that I am innocent of these charges that were hurled against me,” he said.
“Im fine. As you can see, I can still afford to smile,” he added.
Due process
Meanwhile, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Raul Hernandez said the case will be treated in a fair manner that follows due process.
“Makakaasa kayo na wala kaming kikilingan at magiging patas ang imbestigasyon,” he said.
Hernandez explained that their findings will be the basis on whether a full blown investigation against Primavera will take place.
Hernandez also clarified that Primavera remains as ambassador to Kuwait and has not been relieved from his post.
Primavera, 63, a veteran career diplomat, is scheduled to retire next year after being in foreign service for 40 years. He has maintained a clean record before this incident.
Pleased with the process
Meanwhile, Susan Ople, head of the Blas Ople Policy Center and training institute, said Mabel was pleased to see the actions being taken by the DFA in her case.
“Nabubuhayan naman ang loob ni Mabel dahil kahit papaano nakita niya na may proseso ang DFA,” Ople said.
Ople said it was rare to see a maid providing a sworn statement of affidavit against an embassy official, much less an ambassador.
“Ibig sabihin talaga nito, seryoso si Mabel sa kanyang pinaglalaban,” Ople claimed.
Earlier case of abuse
Unfair wages
Meanwhile, Ople said aside from the molestation charge, the maids claimed that they were given a lower wage than what was legally accepted: $400 (roughly P16,500), the minimum wage prescribed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.
Mabel alleged that they were only receiving around $212 (roughly P9,000).
Ople said it was possible that they would file an unfair wages case against Primaver but as of now, they are focusing on Mabel's sexual harassment case.
“It’s an option pero sa ngayon ang tinitignan niya talaga lang ay yung katarungan sa tulong ng DFA," Ople said. - VVP, GMA News
The three maids told a DFA fact-finding team that they noticed that Mabel seemed to be the favorite of Primavera, who arrived in the Philippines on Wednesday. The Ambassador has repeatedly denied the claims.
In a written testimony provided to GMA News by her lawyer, Mabel said she was molested by Primavera thrice:
(1) Third week of February 2012
(2) Second week of March 2012, and
(3) Second week of April 2012.
In an interview of GMA News host Arnold Clavio for the “Unang Hirit” program, one maid alleged that Primavera asked Mabel if she already had a boyfriend.
Another maid alleged that Primavera sometimes looks at Mabel with "malicious intent."
Primavera, however, denied ccusations that he molested Mabel, a 28-year-old single woman.
“I wish to assure you that I am innocent of these charges that were hurled against me,” he said.
“Im fine. As you can see, I can still afford to smile,” he added.
Due process
Meanwhile, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Raul Hernandez said the case will be treated in a fair manner that follows due process.
“Makakaasa kayo na wala kaming kikilingan at magiging patas ang imbestigasyon,” he said.
Hernandez explained that their findings will be the basis on whether a full blown investigation against Primavera will take place.
Hernandez earlier explained that Primavera is only facing an investigation by the DFA's Board of Foreign Service Administration, and not by other agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation or the Philippine National Police.
Hernandez also clarified that Primavera remains as ambassador to Kuwait and has not been relieved from his post.
Primavera, 63, a veteran career diplomat, is scheduled to retire next year after being in foreign service for 40 years. He has maintained a clean record before this incident.
Primavera is not the first diplomat to have been accused of wrongdoing.
Hernandez said there have been Filipino diplomats and DFA employees in the past who were relieved from their posts due to misconduct.
Pleased with the process
Meanwhile, Susan Ople, head of the Blas Ople Policy Center and training institute, said Mabel was pleased to see the actions being taken by the DFA in her case.
“Nabubuhayan naman ang loob ni Mabel dahil kahit papaano nakita niya na may proseso ang DFA,” Ople said.
Ople said it was rare to see a maid providing a sworn statement of affidavit against an embassy official, much less an ambassador.
“Ibig sabihin talaga nito, seryoso si Mabel sa kanyang pinaglalaban,” Ople claimed.
Earlier case of abuse
Mabel first worked for a Kuwaiti employer for eight months and escaped on December 3 last year due to alleged abuse and indecent treatment.
Mabel then took refuge in the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) shelter in Kuwait. From there, she became Primavera's household helper.
After the three alleged molestation incidents happened, Mabel managed to become a part of the group that was repatriated from Syria on October 22. The group arrived in the Philippines the next day.
Unfair wages
Meanwhile, Ople said aside from the molestation charge, the maids claimed that they were given a lower wage than what was legally accepted: $400 (roughly P16,500), the minimum wage prescribed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.
Mabel alleged that they were only receiving around $212 (roughly P9,000).
Ople said it was possible that they would file an unfair wages case against Primaver but as of now, they are focusing on Mabel's sexual harassment case.
“It’s an option pero sa ngayon ang tinitignan niya talaga lang ay yung katarungan sa tulong ng DFA," Ople said. - VVP, GMA News
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