By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
President Duterte has accepted the resignation of actor Cesar Montano as Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) chief operating officer, following the controversy involving the Buhay Carenderia program.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go told Malacañang reporters Monday evening that Montano's resignation letter was received and accepted by the President.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat also confirmed in a text message that Montano has resigned, adding that as far as her involvement in the case is concerned, she now considers it closed.
"I would like to consider this matter closed--from my active involvement--but trust that COA (Commission on Audit) will get to the bottom of this episode," she said Monday evening.
Montano is one of President Duterte's biggest supporter in the showbiz industry. Last month, he joined Duterte in his working visit to Hong Kong, particularly in the President's meeting with the Filipinos there.
Montano tendered his courtesy resignation after Puyat ordered all undersecretaries and assistant secretaries to file their courtesy resignation until May 21, 2018 in order for her to effectively fulfill her duties.
Montano's resignation also came after Puyat talked to him about the irregularities in the Buhay Carenderia program and his reported hurried speech in New York in order to catch a run of "Hamilton: An American Musical" in Broadway.
It wad reported that Montano already paid P80 million to the project organizer even before the video series on Filipino street food and eateries was able to air.
Malacañang earlier lauded Puyat's efforts to cleanse the Department of Tourism (DOT) from corruption. She earlier revealed that hundreds of millions of pesos were involved in the corruption in the agency. She also ordered the suspension of all DOT projects pending the result of a review by the COA.
"She was appointed with the express mandate to do good and to fight corruption, and she's doing just that. President's very pleased," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.
Roque also said that the Palace supports Puyat's decision to order for the courtesy resignation of high-ranking DOT officials so she can be most effective in doing her job.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go told Malacañang reporters Monday evening that Montano's resignation letter was received and accepted by the President.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat also confirmed in a text message that Montano has resigned, adding that as far as her involvement in the case is concerned, she now considers it closed.
"I would like to consider this matter closed--from my active involvement--but trust that COA (Commission on Audit) will get to the bottom of this episode," she said Monday evening.
Montano is one of President Duterte's biggest supporter in the showbiz industry. Last month, he joined Duterte in his working visit to Hong Kong, particularly in the President's meeting with the Filipinos there.
Montano tendered his courtesy resignation after Puyat ordered all undersecretaries and assistant secretaries to file their courtesy resignation until May 21, 2018 in order for her to effectively fulfill her duties.
Montano's resignation also came after Puyat talked to him about the irregularities in the Buhay Carenderia program and his reported hurried speech in New York in order to catch a run of "Hamilton: An American Musical" in Broadway.
It wad reported that Montano already paid P80 million to the project organizer even before the video series on Filipino street food and eateries was able to air.
Malacañang earlier lauded Puyat's efforts to cleanse the Department of Tourism (DOT) from corruption. She earlier revealed that hundreds of millions of pesos were involved in the corruption in the agency. She also ordered the suspension of all DOT projects pending the result of a review by the COA.
"She was appointed with the express mandate to do good and to fight corruption, and she's doing just that. President's very pleased," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.
Roque also said that the Palace supports Puyat's decision to order for the courtesy resignation of high-ranking DOT officials so she can be most effective in doing her job.