RIYADH, 4 May 2004 — Philippine Ambassador Bahnarim A. Guinomla can return to the Kingdom at a time of his own choosing, according to Foreign Undersecretary Jose Brillantes, who heads the Office for Migrant Workers Affairs (OMWA).

“During talks with Foreign Secretary Delia Albert, it was discussed that he could go back to Riyadh if and when he’s ready, although in early April I heard that he was considering not returning,” Brillantes said in an interview from Manila.

He made the statement when informed about reports reaching Arab News that the envoy, who was recalled for consultation earlier this year, would return today, although the embassy could not confirm it.

“I have no information whether he’s coming or not,” Minister Mariano A. Dumia, charge d’affaires, told Arab News yesterday.

The envoy has been embroiled in a controversy. Filipinos in Riyadh, for instance, complained to Manila after the ambassador stopped allowing them use of embassy premises for cultural activities for security reasons following a string of bombings in the capital last year.

Guinomla had been given the discretion by Manila to allow community use of embassy premises if he thought it was safe enough.

Brillantes further said that even before his departure for Riyadh, Guinomla could have come back if he wanted to.

“In fact, my coming to Riyadh and the Eastern Province was not to investigate complaints but to extend assistance to a Filipina domestic helper, Sarah Dematera, who is on death row after her conviction for allegedly killing the wife of her employer,” Brillantes said.

One Filipino community leader said that, “it’s good if the ambassador comes back so that he could answer point by point the allegations and complaints against him.”

Alex Veloso Bello, a member of the Philippine Embassy steering committee which is supervising the absentee voting among Filipinos here, said that if the envoy comes back he could meet with the Filipino community to smooth out differences.

“The embassy and the community should work together for good and meaningful projects,” he said.