Palace: No info on Duterte ordering Montano to quit

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday said he has no information on whether President Rodrigo Duterte told Cesar Montano to resign as chief operating officer of the Tourism Promotions Board.

“I have no information on that. But I knew that the resignation was filed. He announced it to the world because he was the one who posted,” Roque said in a Palace press briefing.

Asked for the reason for Montano sending in his courtesy resignation, Roque said he only read the resignation letter issued to the media. The only stated that Montano's resignation was “in faithful adherence to his duty as a public servant.”

READ: Cesar Montano resigns as Tourism Promotions Board chief

Montano also expressed gratitude for the trust and opportunity given to him during his tenure. He was on holdover capacity following the expiration of his term.

“I read the letter just as everyone else and that resignation was accepted,” Roque said.

Montano’s resignation came amid the controversy the TPB is facing after his issuance of P80 million in advance payments for “Buhay Carinderia Redefined.” The project was allocated P320 million budget but did not undergo any proper bidding.

Last Thursday, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat suspended Buhay Carinderia, a project launched in lieu of the annual Madrid Fusion Manila.

Montano’s resignation also coincided with the deadline announced by Puyat for Department of Tourism undersecretaries and assistant secretaries when she ordered them to submit their respective courtesy resignations.

The resigned TPB chief also proposed to the DOT chief three high-ranking officials of the board to be designated as Officer-In-Charge.  These are:

• Maricon Ebron – Office of the Deputy Chief Operating Officer for Marketing and Promotions

• Joselito Gregorio – Office of the Deputy Chief Operating Officer for Corporate Affairs

• Leah Marie Sy – Management Information System Department