Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Albert del Rosario on Friday said the Philippine Consul General to Vancouver erred when he shouted angrily at a passport applicant in Canada.
Consul General Jose Ampeso is on his way back to the Philippines to explain his actions, caught on video which is making the rounds on the Internet.
In a DFA press briefing on Friday, Del Rosario said, “Without any explanation, I see that as an errant behavior.”
“You know the view of the DFA is that all of our people must project professional conduct and behavior at all times and nothing less is acceptable,” Del Rosario said.
In a separate briefing with Palace reporters also on Friday, Del Rosario confirmed that Ampeso is on his way home to answer questions about his behavior.
The younger Arroyo, who was a volunteer during the Philippine hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, said Ampeso, whom she claimed was under the influence of alcohol, made “inappropriate” remarks towards her.
Arroyo filed an administrative case against Ampeso with the DFA but it was dismissed in 1998 after the diplomat wrote a letter of apology in the presence of her parents. - VVP, GMA News
In a separate briefing with Palace reporters also on Friday, Del Rosario confirmed that Ampeso is on his way home to answer questions about his behavior.
"I viewed [the video] and I found it questionable. He's on the way back to answer questions, [and] there [will be] an investigation,” Del Rosario said.
"My position is we should be exacting the highest professional standard from all of our people without exception," Del Rosario added.
The Foreign Affairs secretary promised an "unbiased investigation" and penalty depending on the findings.
In an interview with "News to Go" host Howie Severino on Thursday, Ampeso said he will be arriving in the Philippines on April 29.
The Foreign Affairs secretary promised an "unbiased investigation" and penalty depending on the findings.
In an interview with "News to Go" host Howie Severino on Thursday, Ampeso said he will be arriving in the Philippines on April 29.
Ampeso was caught on video berating a Filipino during a consular outreach mission in Canada.
The video, posted by one greatauror28, apparently the one who experienced Ampeso's ire, shows the diplomat raising his voice at a passport applicant in Red Deer, Alberta.
“First of all, the 27-second video showing me talking in a loud voice to a passport applicant, which made some people conclude that I was rude and arrogant, does not tell the whole story,” Ampeso said Thursday in a statement emailed to GMA News Online.
Ampeso said the video did not show that before the outburst, the applicant allegedly insulted him by insinuating that the Philippine official might just pocket his donation.
“First of all, the 27-second video showing me talking in a loud voice to a passport applicant, which made some people conclude that I was rude and arrogant, does not tell the whole story,” Ampeso said Thursday in a statement emailed to GMA News Online.
Ampeso said he only raised his voice against the applicant because “he insulted me and poked fun at being requested to make a donation to the Philippine National Red Cross by offering to give a measly one dollar for this charitable cause.”
“That’s why I became so agitated while explaining to him that if he had to give anything at all, it has to come from the heart for the typhoon victims,” Ampeso said.
GMA News Online has sought a reaction from the video uploader but has yet to receive a reply.
Ampeso has apologized for his actions.
“I apologize to anyone whom I may have offended. I assure you that I had only the best intentions in reacting in that manner,” Ampeso said in an apology letter sent to GMA News Online.
Sexual harassment complaint
Ampeso, who is due to retire in 2014, first figured in a controversy in 1996 when Evangeline “Luli” Arroyo, daughter of then-senator Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, filed a sexual harassment case against him.
The younger Arroyo, who was a volunteer during the Philippine hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, said Ampeso, whom she claimed was under the influence of alcohol, made “inappropriate” remarks towards her.
Arroyo filed an administrative case against Ampeso with the DFA but it was dismissed in 1998 after the diplomat wrote a letter of apology in the presence of her parents. - VVP, GMA News
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