Valte goes on leave as Palace spokesperson to do campaign work for Roxas 

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte has filed a leave of absence from Malacañang to campaign for former Interior Sec. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, who is running for president under the administration banner.

"I've been on leave since January 9," Valte said in a text message. "I am in charge of coordinating Communications-related assignments. More support staff work than campaigning."

On her Facebook account, Valte called out United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) spokesperson Mon Ilagan for asking her to file a resignation so she may continue to openly campaign for Roxas.

UNA is fielding Vice President Jejomar Binay as its presidential candidate in the May national elections.

"Hahaha! This is rich, coming from the camp that has been campaigning for the last five and a half years while holding on to their positions in government," said Valte.

"In true UNA fashion, they have taken a public interest issue such as censorship and twisted it to suit their needs, completely sidestepping the question of whether it is legal or not. Sabagay, why am I even surprised?" she added.

In a statement last week, Ilagan said Valte was acting like a spokesperson for the LP rather than for Malacañang.

"Baka naman mali na ang pagkakaintindi ni Ms. Valte sa trabaho niya. Hindi siya spokesperson ng Liberal Party kundi spokesperson ng Palasyo. If she’s still confused as to her job description after all these years, then it might be time she considers resigning," he said.

Ilagan’s remarks stemmed from Valte’s comments about a provision in Comelec Resolution No. 10049, which she said effectively censors public officials from posting their political views on social media.

"Since she is clearly distressed by the Comelec rule, perhaps campaigning is more her thing. If so, then she and her cohorts must resign and spare the Filipino people from their undue advertising of the LP candidates," Ilagan suggested. —Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/KBK, GMA News