Montano resigns from tourism board

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Actor, director and film producer Cesar Montano has resigned as chief operating officer of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) following the controversial “Buhay Carinderia” program that would have cost the government over P320 million.

In a letter coursed through the President Duterte’s special assistant Christopher Go, Montano said: “In faithful adherence to my duty as a public servant, I am respectfully tendering my courtesy resignation as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Tourism Promotions Board  effective immediately.” It was dated May 22.

“I am truly grateful for the trust and the opportunity you have bestowed upon me to serve our country,” Montano added.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat ordered the suspension of Buhay Carinderia after it was given P80 million—the amount needed as advance payment to the private organizer of the series of events aimed at promoting “carinderia fare” all over the country. 

Puyat said the project did not go through a bidding process and should be stopped.

In a statement to The STAR yesterday, she stressed that she already considers her involvement in the matter as “closed” and leaves it to the Commission on Audit to investigate further.

The 56-year-old Montano was one of the supporters of then Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte during the campaign for the 2016 presidential elections. He was given the TPB post shortly after Duterte won the presidency.  – With Robertzon Ramirez