President Rodrigo Duterte had one instruction to newly appointed Department of Tourism (DOT) secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat – ensure there is no corruption within the department.
Romulo-Puyat said the president congratulated her when she accepted the position and instructed her to rid the department of corruption.
“Ang bilin lang sa akin ni Presidente when he offered it and then I accepted, sabi niya, ‘Congratulations! Ang gusto ko lang, walang corruption. No corruption,'” she said in an interview on Unang Balita.
Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go on Tuesday, May 8, confirmed Romulo-Puyat will take over the post of former DOT secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo who resigned this week..
The newly appointed tourism chief, daughter of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, is determined to continue his father’s legacy despite being surprised of Duterte’s offer for her to occupy the DOT post.
“Kahapon may meeting po kami with the President sa Malacañang pero ang pinag-uusapan po namin was agriculture. Trabaho kasi, normal trabaho. Trabaho pinag-uusapan namin. Tapos biglang binanggit niya na, ‘Uy, alam mo bang nag-resign si Secretary Teo?… O gusto mo ba? Kasi bagay sa ‘yo. Your credentials speak for yourself. Ang tagal mo na sa DA (Department of Agriculture). I think it’s about time,’ sabi niya,” Romulo-Puyat said.
Romulo-Puyat also expressed her excitement to work in the DOT.
“Marami rin naman na nakatrabaho ako doon na career naman at napaka-professional ng mga taga-DOT. I’ve been working with them for the past five years,” she said.
Romulo-Puyat will continue reporting to DA for her work as undersecretary until her oath taking as new DOT secretary.
PHOTO: Manila Bulletin
