Cesar Montano resigns from TPB

FILE: Montano earlier said that the said project was “endorsed” by the previous DOT Secretary then, Wanda Tulfo-Teo, who has also resigned (Photo: Department of Tourism/ Facebook)

After the “Buhay Carinderia” project was suspended, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Cesar Montano, resigned on May 21, Monday.

GMA reported that the Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat accepted Montano’s resignation.

His resignation came days after meeting with Puyat, to discuss the controversy of the culinary project which seeks to promote local eateries, involving a P80 million sponsorship deal with Mary Lindbert International Incorporated.

Upon Puyat’s ordered investigation of Buhay Carinderia, it was found that the TPB issued checks worth P80 million in less than a month, even when the project has not started yet. Buhay Carinderia, which had a total budget of P320 million, was confirmed to not have undergone any proper bidding.

“Walang bidding pero may sponsorship. Ako kasi mas komportable ako na may bidding (There was no bidding, but there was a sponsorship. For me, I am more comfortable if there is a bidding),” she said in an interview with CNN Philippines.

Puyat also stressed this in a press briefing on May 17, Thursday, saying, “Since I am now the Chair, gusto ko may bidding. Gusto ko lahat transparent. Hindi ako komportable na ibibigay ang first tranche na P80 million sa isang tao lang (Since I am now the Chair, I want there to be a bidding. I want everything to be transparent. I am not comfortable to give the first tranche of P80 million to just one person).”

While the actor has resigned from his post, Puyat earlier said in a press briefing on May 17, Thursday that he did not need to resign since his term will expire this June. The DOT Secretary also mentioned that under the Tourism Act of 2009, the Tourism Congress will nominate a new chief.

Montano earlier said that the said project was “endorsed” by the previous DOT Secretary then, Wanda Tulfo-Teo, who has also resigned.

This was not the first time for Montano’s name to be dragged into corruption allegations. In March last year, TPB employees filed a complaint against him, alleging that he has been mismanaging the board, misusing funds, being incompetent, and other irregularities.

Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the President Bong Go confirmed that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte accepted Montano’s “courtesy resignation.”