SENATOR Nancy Binay is calling for an investigation into the complaints filed in the Presidential Action Center (PAC) by Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) employees against their Chief Operating Officer Cesar Montano.
Montano is accused of allegedly engaging in irregular contracts, mismanagement, and nepotism.
"It is imperative that we look into the complaints against Mr. Montano. He is leading an agency tasked with domestic and international promotions of the Department of Tourism. As such, he must act with the protection of the image of the TPB and the government in mind at all times," said Binay, chairperson of the Senate committee on tourism.
The complaint lists 24 supposed irregularities committed by Montano, including unprofessional behavior, incompetence and possible corruption.
The complainants questioned in particular a P11.2 million contract entered into by Montano for an event where he and his nieces were guest performers.
Montano was also criticized for hiring his own team and consultants into the agency despite the presence of incumbent employees with the same tasks. The complaint also states that the TPB COO charged the agency for trips that were not part of his job.
Montano was also accused of nepotism, having appointed his relative Priza Cinco, his brother Rommel Montano, and a member of his household Peter Domingo. Nepotism is punishable by dismissal from service.
"This investigation will enable us to review our laws and ensure that issues of malfeasance, misfeasance and charges of graft and corruption in the government are immediately addressed," Binay said.
Montano during media interviews this week denied said the allegations against him were "baseless, wrong, and untrue".
He said the complaint was filed by some disgruntled employees of TPB after he allegedly discovered of some anomalies in the agency. (VoxPop Philippines)