It’s not unusual for those who help a president win an election to land plum assignments after the campaign is over. Indeed, soliciting appointments in much sought-after government posts is de rigueur in Philippine patronage politics, a sad standard practice in many areas of the bureaucracy. Sadder still that these appointments have not always been based on merit. Hence, the proliferation of close friends, classmates, fraternity brothers, fellow members of various organizations, supporters and what have you being appointed to sensitive posts.
It is also no surprise that more showbiz personalities want to work in government, whether as elected or appointed officials. Film and TV careers are not the most stable of professions. Who can begrudge actors wanting to switch careers or even question their sudden interest in public service?
We don’t see anything inherently wrong in actors joining government. We can only urge them to take their public posts seriously, to prepare as thoroughly as they could. To please not look at their government jobs as a part-time or fallback profession, albeit a lucrative one if their intentions are not so noble.
Public service is no joke, and it’s not a movie or TV show. While finishing school may not be a requirement, constant learning and improvement is, in any profession.
We have no doubt there are actors-turned-public servants who take their government posts seriously. They’ve given up showbiz, at least for the time being, choosing to devote their time and energies to their government offices, and constantly improving themselves in the practice of public service.
But there are others miserably failing at it. Cesar Montano seems to belong to this group.
After making unsuccessful tries for elective office, starting with the senatorial elections in 2007, for governor of Bohol in 2010 and as a party-list representative in 2016, Montano was appointed by President Duterte as COO of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), despite private industry stakeholders, including former Tourism Secretary Narzalina Z. Lim, questioning his qualifications to lead such an important agency, and Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon T. Teo herself saying Montano was not her personal choice as TPB COO.
The TPB, formerly the Philippine Conventions and Visitors Corp., is tasked with formulating and implementing an integrated domestic and international promotions and marketing program for the Department of Tourism. Before Montano, 30-year tourism-marketing veteran Domingo Ramon Enerio III headed the TPB.
Montano obviously got the post only because Duterte wanted him to, a booty for helping in his presidential campaign. But, instead of working hard to make up for his inadequacies, to prove his critics wrong and his benefactor right, Montano has done nothing but validate the controversies over his appointment.
Montano’s own officers and employees in the TPB have filed a case against him with the Presidential Action Center, at the Office of the President in Malacañang, detailing 24 alleged irregularities and indiscretions he committed. Tourism-industry stakeholders are calling for his resignation. The Senate Committee on Tourism, chaired by Sen. Ma. Lourdes Nancy Binay, will soon hold a hearing where Montano will have his own very different starring role.
Cesar R. Cruz, president of the 300-strong Philippine Tour Operators Association Inc., welcomed the Senate investigation. He said Montano should resign, because he has already lost the moral ascendancy to lead the agency. More than the alleged financial irregularities, his group was concerned about Montano’s reported “work ethic”, such as leaving meetings abruptly; the alleged inability to understand concepts and ideas raised in presentations; playing the guitar in his room while important documents are awaiting his signature, to name a few.
The President was quick to dismiss the seemingly credible allegations against Montano, even as he claims to be no kunsintidor like former President Benigno S. Aquino III. He recently fired Ismael D. Sueno as interior secretary and his former campaign Spokesman Peter T. Laviña as administrator of the National Irrigation Administration for alleged corrupt activities, despite no formal complaints filed against them.
Why Duterte still supports Montano is a curious case, indeed, but it does show yet again how difficult it is for a president to effect reforms in government when his own supposedly trusted people are themselves getting in the way.
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The thing about the truth – it is as incorruptible as steel and twice as strong. Eventually, the truth always prevails.