The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Tuesday reminded its officials and employees to maintain the "highest degree of excellence and professionalism" in performing their duties.
The agency issued a statement after one of its officials, DOT Region 1 director Jeff Ortega introduced former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. as "vice president" during a recent tourism event.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
"The DOT reminds all its officials and employees to perform and discharge their duties with the highest degree of excellence and professionalism," the DOT said.
"We remain guided by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) especially in expressing views on current political problems or issues," it added.
Ortega uploaded in his Instagram account last week a 29-minute video of the launching of Region 1's tourism branding where he introduced Marcos as the country's second highest official.
"Former senator and vice president Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos, sir," Ortega was captured on as saying.
The DOT official also trended on Twitter due to his remarks. He later set his Instagram account to private after drawing flak from netizens.
The video, however, remains on his account and already has 12,942 views as of this writing. Comments on the post have also been limited to his followers.
Marcos lost to Vice President Leni Robredo during the 2016 vice presidential race by over 260,000 votes. His protest before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal resulted in a recount of votes in Camarines Sur, Iloilo and Negros Oriental, which increased Robredo's lead by 15,093.
Marcos earlier announced plans to run for public post in 2022 although he maintained that he has not given up on his electoral protest.