After receiving backlash on social media for discriminating against a child with special needs, Manny Gonzales, the resident shareholder of Cebu-based Plantation Bay Resort and Spa tendered his resignation effective Tuesday, Dec. 15. 

In a statement, he said the decision to resign is to protect the property’s staff from “further indignities.” He also issued an apology for his “error of judgment.”

Gonzalez made headlines last week for his insensitive remarks toward a mother who visited the resort recently. 

She wrote a review of the said resort on TripAdvisor, where she said that the place is not an ideal for a child with special needs after lifeguards repeatedly called them out while his son with autism squeals with delight in the pool area. 

Gonzalez, who identified himself a resident shareholder of the property, replied on the same page, accusing her of lying and said that uncontrolled shouting is not a sign of autism. 

He later issued an apology after advocacy groups, social media users, including celebrities and government officials, expressed sympathy toward the mother and child, and called him out for his insensitive reply. 

The mother, however, did not pursue charges against Gonzalez but the Department of Tourism (DOT) launched an investigation into an incident last Dec. 9 and coordinated with the Department of Justice (DOJ) for its proper action under the Disability Law. 

Last year, Gonzalez also earned criticism for criticizing the victims of an alleged food poisoning incident in the same resort.