PRESIDENTIAL ACTION CENTER (PACE)

2/F GAMA Bldg.

Minerva corner J. P. Laurel Streets
San Miguel, Manila

Dear Sir/Madam:

This is to formalize the concerns and complaints of the employees of the

Tourism Promotions Board against its Chief Operating Officer ​CESAR D.
MONTANO on the following irregularities committed by him and his team in
the performance of his duty as Chief Operating Officer.

We are therefore presenting our complaints based on the following grounds:

1. 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;

2. He brought in a team and consultants whose functions are already being

rendered by incumbent employees:

Co-terminus and Confidential

1. Priza Cinco
2. Rommel Montano - brother
3. Peter Domingo

Job Orders
1. Virgilio Collao - Stuntman / Actor
2. Ma. Dianara Corcino
3. Clifferson Mendoza - Nephew of wife of Rommel Montano
4. Augusto Morcoso - Gardener of COO
5. Robertito Nipis - Stuntman / Actor
6. Gregorio Quinal
7. Marivic Vargas - Personal Assistant
8. Mariel Anne Aguila
9. Princess Elefante
 10.Gestine Kylie Olarte - Daughter of COO’s best friend
11.Perfecto Realino - Messenger / Childhood friend of COO

Consultants
1. Atty. Marian Ivy R. Fajardo
2. Atty. Isidro Martin Reyes
3. Atty Ela A. Sangalang

3. Without any approval by the Board, his brother Rommel Montano

initiated a project called “SELPHILIPPINES” which was initially offered
free of charge. However, in the end, an asking price was pegged in the
millions of Pesos;

4. COO Montano together with Ms. Priza Cinco, Rommel Montano and
Cliff Mendoza went to Hongkong to attend the Chinese New Year
Parade. However, he verbally expressed displeasure on Dinagyang’s
presentation which was commented before the Regional Director of
Davao and Local Government Officials. Reports reached us that he was
also under the influence of alcohol during the event;

5. COO Montano went to Boracay with his staff without any itinerary. The
DOT Regional Director commented that it seemed they were having a
vacation;

6. Ms. Priza Cinco, Head Executive Assistant of COO Montano threatened

one of the HR Officials when Ms. Cinco was requested to submit
documents required by Civil Service Commission for her appointment
papers. Her threat was ​“Ano gusto mo, Duterte o COA?”

7. The TPB hosted a familiarization tour for golfers coming from Taiwan.
During the familiarization tour, COO Montano joined the Taiwanese
Golfers in Batangas. However, COO Montano brought a woman with
him. At one point, one of the Taiwanese golfers saw COO Montano
caressing the woman’s thighs. The golfer told the project officer if she
 wanted to see a movie, pointing to COO Montano and the woman
exhibiting unpleasant acts. COO Montano did not even bother to sit down
with the guests during lunch.

8. For the month of January 2017, during COO’s and his staff’s domestic
trips, his staff would naturally have Travel orders, as he was the
signatory. However, he himself would not have any travel orders.

9. The TPB Boardroom and Executive Lounge became an exclusive area for
his staff to rest. The Executive Lounge upon COO Montano’s request had
a TV installed where his bodyguards and staff can sleep/lounge while
watching TV. The Executive Lounge is normally used by TPB for guests
and meetings;

10.His Executive Assistant, Ms. Priza Cinco requested Ms. Venus Tan, DOT
Regional Director for Cordillera Admin. to make arrangements for their
stay in Baguio during the Panagbenga Festival and to reserve 8 single
rooms. Unfortunately, COO Montano and his staff were not able to attend
the festival, and no advice was given to Ms. Tan. The rooms were paid
already by Ms. Tan;

11.Most of his domestic trips are not part of TPB’s work program and would
charge it to TPB funds;

12.COO Montano rarely reports to Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo for

direction so that TPB’s programs can be aligned with that of the DOT’s;

13.It can be observed that during meetings with the TPB Management
Committee and Board Meetings, his level of retention and absorption is
very low. He has difficulty understanding presentations, flow charts and
figures. Instead, he wants visuals. He would leave the meetings even if
not yet adjourned.
14.He exhibits often a change of behavior when there are times he cannot get
what he wants immediately and would shout at his staff. He always locks
his door and would be heard playing his guitar during office hours.

15.COO Montano does not attend immediately to signing of documents so

much so that projects and payments are delayed. Documents are piled up
in his room because he does not know what to do. Notably, most if not
all Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Resolutions, Notice of Award and
Notice to Proceed are still in his office awaiting his signature.

16.Even if management has guided him thoroughly on what to do during

Board Meetings, it is unfortunate that he does not take these meetings
seriously and would often request that a script be prepared for him;

17.TPB is besieged with performers, actors and suppliers endorsed by his

friends and relatives. The corporate look of the office has been tarnished;

18.TPB received quite a number of proposals for concerts and

entertainment. These proposals are approved by him, without
considering the recommendation of the proper department under its
purview. These concerts / entertainment are in the millions of Pesos.
And these might just bleed the coffers of the TPB dry. The last
concert where he sang was last 25 February 2017 at the Luneta;
Recently, he approved TPB’s sponsorship of the “Jadine US & UAE
Concert Tour 2017” in the amount of ​Pesos 12 Million​, in spite of
Marketing Communications Dept.’s negative recommendation. It
would seem that Carat Productions (producers of the Luneta concert
wherein TPB was a sponsor amounting to ​Pesos 16.5 Million​) and
Viva Communications (producers of the Jadine Concert Tour) are
very much favored by COO Montano.
 19.During the Hanatour Golf Tournament with Korean guests, he was
requested to do a speech before the guests but instead rendered a song. In
the same event, he was an invitee, and was there only to open the
tournament, and deliver a message. However, he opted to join the group,
necessitating a room for him. His friends were the ones who used the
room, and not him.

20.He also expressed his intention to transfer to Coconut Palace as his office.
This would entail a considerable amount considering that TPB owns its
present office space and rents some areas in Legaspi Towers 300;

21.COO Montano’s team does not adhere to the ISO Process of TPB and
would always prefer to shortcut the processes for their benefit;

22.He wants to change the logo of TPB to his liking, as well as the actuall
business name to Tourism Philippines Board;

23.Prior to the last TPB Board of Directors meeting on 27 February 2017 at

10 am at the DOT premises, the Managers and OICs of TPB were
instructed to meet 2 hours before, at a designated place, to discuss and
prepare for said meeting. Instead, 2 companies were requested by his
office to pitch for their respective proposals--- both entertainment related,
in millions of Pesos as project cost;

24.The last straw was also during the same TPB Board of Directors meeting
last 27 February, wherein TPB was hoping to secure the approval of the
Work program for the 2​nd​-4​th quarters 2017. COO Montano left the
meeting for a speaking engagement, constraining the Board to continue
reviewing the work program as there was no longer a quorum.
Succeeding attempts were made by TPB to call for a Board meeting, to
no avail. As a result, there is no approved work program of TPB as of
this writing.

The TPB management and employees have expressed their frustration and
disappointments with COO Montano’s leadership as well as his team who does
not know government procedures.

We are submitting herewith this document to the PACE to formalize what we

have observed as we have personally witnessed the acts/conducts he exhibited
while in the performance of his duties as COO of TPB as well as reports that
reached TPB on his unbecoming behavior as a government official.

It is in this hope that TPB can have a new competent and able leader who can
perform the duties and responsibilities called for as Chief Operating Officer
(COO) of the Tourism Promotions Board.