Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Adnan Alonto during the Laging Handa press briefing.
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Affairs (DFA) on Saturday said it has ordered Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Adnan Alonto to return to the country for “home office consultations” after his wife was filmed campaigning for a presidential aspirant in Riyadh.
“The DFA regularly reminds personnel here and at foreign service posts on the prohibition against engagement, whether directly or indirectly, in any electioneering or partisan political activity,” said Gonar Musor, deputy assistant secretary of the DFA.
Musor said the DFA had already initiated an investigation after a footage of Alonto’s wife speaking during a campaign rally for presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, went viral on Twitter.
“Ambassador Alonto has been instructed to return to the Philippines for home office consultations,” he said.
He added that the DFA will not tolerate the actions of its personnel that violated the Omnibus Election Code, the Overseas Voting Act of 2013, and the joint circular issued by the Commission on Elections and the Civil Service Commission.
—MARLON RAMOS
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