She has asked for the courtesy resignations of DOT undersecretaries and assistant secretaries—most of whom are so-called “political appointees.” But career officials are exempted from the order.
Newly appointed Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat is shaking things up at the Department of Tourism (DOT).
She has asked for the courtesy resignations of DOT undersecretaries and assistant secretaries—most of whom are so-called “political appointees.” But career officials are exempted from the order.
These courtesy resignations will be forwarded to the office of President Rodrigo Duterte who will have the option to accept them or renew the officials’ appointments.
Puyat said the move will give her a “free hand” to do her job.
More importantly, Puyat has summoned Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) chief operating officer Cesar Montano to explain details surrounding the agency’s US$1.5-million “Buhay Carinderia” project after allegations of irregularity surfaced.
The project, based on a concept of a “poor man’s food fest,” targets small businesses and aims to “improve the carinderia’s image, help the entrepreneurs behind them and present their unique style of cooking to a wider audience,” a statement from the organizer said.
Carinderias are ubiquitous street eateries serving native cuisine.
“A lot of us are slowly realizing that the home-cooked creations these carinderias serve form an important part of their community’s culture,” Montano said at the program’s media launch last month.
Puyat said she will ask Montano to explain allegations that the project did not undergo bidding and that he authorised full payment when the project contract supposedly stipulated payments in tranches.
The DOT chief also said she will ask the TPB head to explain why he rushed through his keynote address at a New York tourism presentation event because he was late for the viewing of the Broadway hit Hamilton.
It was not the first time corruption allegations were hurled at Montano. In March 2017, TPB employees filed a complaint against Montano for allegedly "mismanaging" the board, over alleged misuse of funds, and approving contracts for events where he himself performed.
Earlier, Wanda Tulfo-Teo resigned over allegations of corruption when state-auditing agency COA flagged a US$1.1-million ad deal involving her brother’s production outfit.