DFA directs envoy to Saudi to return to Philippines after wife endorsed Marcos

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has ordered the Philippine ambassador to Saudi Arabia to return to Manila for "home office consultations" after his wife was caught on video endorsing a presidential candidate.

The DFA issued the order after Ambassador Adnan Alonto’s wife was seen in a viral video campaigning for former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

"Hindi naman ako nagpunta rito para yakagin kayo na iboto niyo ang kandidato ko," Alonto's wife told OFWs in Saudi Arabia.

(I did not come here to urge you to vote for my candidate.)

As she spoke, posters of Marcos and his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte were seen in the background.

"Please cast your vote. Do not waste this moment because ... it might just be the turning point so that we will have another Ilocano president," she added.

In a statement on Saturday, the DFA said it was "investigating the incident in Riyadh, and Ambassador Alonto has been instructed to return to the Philippines for home office consultations." 

The department also reminded its personnel of the prohibition against engaging in partisan political activities ahead of the May 9 polls.

“It does not condone acts that go against the Omnibus Election Code, the Overseas Voting Act of 2013 and the Comelec-CSC Joint Circular No. 001, series of 2016,” it added.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) earlier warned that it would impose sanctions on government workers who engage in partisan political activities.

Under civil service rules, those who will be found guilty of engaging directly or indirectly in partisan political activities will be meted with the penalty of one month and one day suspension to six months for the first offense; and dismissal from the service for the second offense, according to the circular.

The penalty of dismissal is without prejudice to criminal or civil liability, and shall carry with it cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, perpetual disqualification from holding public office, and bar from taking civil service examinations. — VBL, GMA News