PH consul in Canada faces new harassment complaint

Jose Ampeso, the Philippine consul general to Vancouver, as shown in the video posted on YouTube. Screen grab from www.youtube.com

MANILA, Philippines—Embattled Philippine Consul General to Vancouver Jose Ampeso is facing fresh charges after a Canada-based woman accused him of sexual harassment.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday confirmed that a Filipino woman living in Canada had written Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario to complain that Ampeso had made unwanted sexual advances on her over several months in 2011.

DFA spokesma Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez confirmed that Del Rosario received the April 29 letter but he refused to reveal its contents, citing confidentiality.

The DFA has yet to open an investigation into the latest complaint.

“There was a letter given to the DFA but we need to receive a formal complaint in order to start a fact-finding investigation,” said Hernandez in a press briefing.

“When we receive one, a fact-finding investigation will be conducted. Then the procedure prescribed by the Civil Service Commission will be observed,” he added.

The letter did not count as a formal complaint, Hernandez said, as the document was not notarized.

“If there is prima facie evidence of sexual harassment, the person complained of—Consul General Ampeso—would be formally charged and a panel constituted to hear the case,” he said.

Ampeso is currently undergoing an administrative investigation for allegedly raising his voice at a Filipino applying for passport renewal and appearing to be drunk in Red Deer, Alberta, in April. He was recalled to the home office and arrived in Manila early in May.

Asked what Ampeso’s status was, Hernandez said he remained in Manila “for consultation” on the investigation he is facing.

Ampeso also faced a sexual harassment investigation in 1996 when Luli Arroyo, daughter of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, filed a similar complaint against the diplomat for his behavior during Manila’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in 1996.

The case was dismissed in 1998 after Ampeso apologized to Arroyo in person and in writing.Embattled Philippine Consul General to Vancouver Jose Ampeso is facing fresh charges after a Canada-based woman accused him of sexual harassment.