[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’DOT: Wanda Teo aides ‘multifunctional’’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’18’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
February 16, 2018
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=’18’ font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
MANILA – The Department of Tourism defended Secretary Wanda Teo’s inclusion of her personal makeup artist and office clerks in her travels abroad.
These personnel were “multifunctional,” according to Assistant Secretary Ricky Alegre.
“Sagot ng gobyerno ang travel nila abroad pero ginagawa naman nila ang trabaho nila,” he told RMN radio on Thursday. “The makeup artist and office clerks included in the trip were multifunctional.”
Tourism department employees joined Teo in her 2016 and 2017 trips to Dubai, Italy, United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, United States, and Canada “to attend international travel fairs and conduct inventory of DOT foreign offices,” The Philippine Star reported.
Travel orders were issued to utility workers Allan Alcid of the Office of the Secretary, Lia Insigne of the General Services Department of the Records Section, and clerk Butch Berrei of the secretary’s office in her Dubai trip in 2016.
Also traveling with Teo were her makeup artist Angelito Ucol and her assistant Marinela Miranda. Jennifer Olba, officer-in-charge of the Legal Department, went on several trips abroad, too.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque refused to comment, saying reporters should ask Teo. But he added that President Rodrigo Duterte may ask Teo regarding the said overseas travels.
Internal Auditor Agustina Isip was given a travel order for a Dubai to London trip while Records Section’s Irene Hamias traveled to China. Utility worker Tonton Tabanera of the Financial Management Services Office joined the Taiwan trip, the Star report said.
Messenger Marcelino Medina of the General Services Department joined a contingent to Japan; cashier Claudette Maximo, to Italy; and supply officer Felix Maximo, to China.
Drivers Michael Buenaventura and Pacifico Dolfo of Assistant Secretary Arlene Mancao’s office, utility worker Lourdes Ocsan of the secretary’s office, clerk Nilo David of the Accounting Office, and Ma. Cristina Isorena of the Legislative Liaison Office rode a Star Cruises ship.
Exequiel Erfelo, clerk of Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr., joined a trip to Cambodia while Teo’s Executive Assistant Nanette Saludo traveled to Japan.
Internal Auditor Dex Gillesamia went to Russia and the UK in a composite team; Chief Accountant Aida Soriano joined Teo in France, UK, Japan, and US; Gary Politico, financial management staffer, traveled Italy and the US; bookkeepers Cris Agustin and Anna Alfonso, both from the Budget Division, traveled to Japan; and bookkeepers Ana Malay and Lagrimas Campos traveled to Japan and UK, respectively.
In Sydney, Teo was joined by Legal Assistant Cheryl Regala, Administrative Officer Vangie Evangelista; Data Controller Erwin Umandal; Administrative Officer Mayen Padilla; and General Services Department utility worker Allen Ual.
Internal Audit Division chief Manjune Garduque, president of the DOT employees association, joined delegations to US and Australia./PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
