Cesar Montano to head Tourism Promotions Board

MANILA, Philippines – Actor Cesar Montano will soon join the list of celebrities appointed to government positions under the Duterte administration, as he is set to head the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB).

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo disclosed this during her confirmation hearing before the Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday, December 7. 

Teo said Montano’s appointment papers as TPB chief operating officer, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, reached her office on Monday, December 5.

“He’s (Montano is) asking for me to induct him. I said probably on the 15th (of December),” she told the CA.

Teo said the Presidential Management Staff had informed her of Montano’s appointment.

She said Montano approached her when both of them joined the President’s visit to China in October.  Teo recalled Montano telling her: “Secretary, I will head the Tourism Promotions Board. Can I do a courtesy call?”

At the time, Teo said she told Montano, who joined the business delegation that accompanied Duterte on his visit to China, to wait until his appointment papers are released.

Teo said she was initially “silent” about the President’s choice as she had recommended somebody else for the position. The TPB is an attached agency of the Department of Tourism.

“I was silent because I had another choice, honestly. I have to be frank with everybody: I had another choice. In fact I already submitted the name….I cannot do anything about it since it’s (Montano’s appointment is) already there,” the tourism chief told the CA.

Montano is among the showbiz personalities who actively supported Duterte’s presidential bid.

Among the other celebrity appointees in the Duterte administration are Liza Diño, Aiza Seguerra, and Arnell Ignacio. – with reports from Camille Elemia/Rappler.com