Valte unaware if Noy OK’d probe of recalled envoy

MANILA, Philippines - A Palace official yesterday said they are not aware if President Aquino has given the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) the go signal to start investigating the case of the Philippine ambassador to Kuwait who was recalled over sexual harassment charges.

“We have not received information if the President gave clearance under the Foreign Service Act,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in Filipino over state-run radio dzRB yesterday.                

She was referring to the case of recalled ambassador Shulan Primavera.              

Valte said the DFA asked Aquino for clearance to investigate Primavera, who was accused by a housemaid in the Philippine embassy in Kuwait of sexual molestation.

Primavera, however, denied the accusations, saying it was nothing but a demolition job.             

“We will defer to the DFA because I’m told that there is a particular provision under the Foreign Service Act that will have to be taken into consideration when it comes to the question of taking a leave from the post,” Valte said.                

Among the considerations are work disruption, relations to the host and home country, among others. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda had earlier begged off from making any comments regarding the case of Primavera.              

Meanwhile, the Blas Ople Policy Center yesterday said that the sexual harassment case against the country’s ambassador to Kuwait is a fight for all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).   

“This is no longer ‘Mabel’s’ battle alone. I know that OFW groups around the world are also watching this case with keen interest,” Susan Ople, Center head, said.    

Ople said they are hopeful that Aquino will grant DFA the clearance to investigate Primavera.    

Ople stressed that Malacañang’s approval is necessary for the case to be heard by the DFA, since the respondent is a foreign service official.    

“We are appealing to the President for the grant of authority to the DFA to proceed with its investigation so that this case can be resolved with fairness, transparency, and impartiality,” she said.

Ople also expressed hope that the DFA can invite the labor attaché and welfare attaché to testify once the investigation starts.

Although Primavera’s victim wants to get on with her life and be reunited with her family, Ople said the OFW is committed to finishing the case. – With Mayen Jaymalin