Tourism board employees file complaint vs. Cesar Montano for 'irregularities'

Management and staff of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) have formally filed before the Presidential Action Center (PACE) complaints against Chief Operating Officer Cesar Montano for his supposed "irregularities."

According to the document filed before the PACE on March 1, the TPB listed down 24 alleged irregularities allegedly involving Montano, such as entering into questionable contracts, as well as employing friends and relatives.

"On January 18, 2017, COO Montano entered into an Eleven Million Two Hundred Thousand Pesos Contract with Carat Philippines where he performed as a guest singer together with his nieces," the complaint read.

Montano was also said to have approved contracts without considering the recommendations of the proper offices.

This includes a P16.5-million sponsorship in a February 25 rally in Rizal Park where he performed, as well as a P12-million sponsorship of the "Jadine United States and United Arab Emirates Concert Tour 2017."

"These concerts are in millions of pesos. And these might just bleed the coffers of the TPB dry," the complaint read.

Relatives and friends

Aside from this, the complainants said Montano also "brought in a team and consultants whose functions are already being rendered by incumbent employees."

Among such employees are Montano's supposed relatives Priza Cinco and Rommel Montano, as well as Peter Domingo, a part of his household.

"Considering that Ms. Priza Cinco, Mr. Rommel Montano and Mr. Cliff Mendoza are related by blood is already a violation of CSC (Civil Service Commission) ruling on nepotism," it said.

The complaint also noted 11 job orders of Montano, said to be "mostly his team which he maintains as an actor," and four consultants who are "rarely visible in the office."

Job orders:

• Virgilio Collao (stuntman/actor; P16,984 monthly)
• Ma. Dianara Corcino (P16,984 monthly)
• Clifferson Mendoza (nephew of wife of Rommel Montano; P48,516.65 monthly)
• Augusto Morcos (gardener; P14,697.64 monthly)
• Roberto Nipis (stuntam/actor; P16,984 monthly)
• Gregorio Quinal (personal assistant; P14,697.64)
• Marivic Vargas (personal Assistant; P33,019.35 monthly)
• Mariel Anne Aguila (for processing)
• Princess Elefante (P16,984.00 monthly)
• Gestine Kylie Olarte (daughter of Montano's best friend; P21,099.49)
• Perfecto Realino (messenger/childhood friend of Montano; P14,697.64 monthly

Consultants:

• Atty. Marian Ivy R. Fajardo (paid P48,516.65 monthly)
• Atty. Isidro Martin Reyes (paid P48,516.65 monthly)
• Atty. Ela A. Sangalang (paid P48,516.65 monthly)
• Mr. Bong Macasaet (paid P78,400.00 for a two-day workshop)

"COO Montano's action on hiring a marketing consultant is an insult to TPB without taking into consideration the marketing capabilities and expertise of TPB Management," the complaint read.

"Mr. Macasaet has no expertise in the field of tourism or even a background in the tourism industry. Further, he has no knowledge of the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) which was presented to the Tourism Coordinating Council headed by Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo," it added.

New 'competent' leader

According to the complaint, Montano and his staff also had several trips local and overseas, without any travel orders.

In the complaint, TPB employees expressed requests to have "a new competent and able leader" moving forward.

"As we write, the TPB Management and staff together with the TPV Board Members, tourism private sector and a number of DOT Regional Directors lost their trust and confidence in the leadership of COO Montano," the employees said.

Montano has yet to issue a statement regarding the allegations against him.

Montano was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte, who had vowed to rid the government of corruption, in December 2016.

Tourism Secretary Teo earlier said that while Montano was not her personal choice for the position, she "cannot do anything about it since it is already there."

GMA News Online has reached out to the DOT for comment, but has yet to receive any response. —Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/ALG, GMA News