De Castro shipped out of DoT

After being put on floating status as part of a management shakeup at the Department of Tourism (DoT), embattled Katherine Chloe “Kat” de Castro will continue government service in another agency.

The former DoT undersecretary was appointed yesterday by President Rodrigo Duterte as a member of the Board of Directors of the Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC-13). She replaced Manolito Cruz and will serve his unexpired term until 30 June 2019.

Taking over De Castro’s post at the tourism department is lawyer Edwin Ragos Enrile. He previously served the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority as a member of its Board of Directors.

It can be recalled that Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat asked for the courtesy resignation of tourism officials when she took over from Wanda Teo in May.

Puyat then put De Castro on floating status a couple of weeks after.

Meanwhile, the President also appointed Francisco Acosta as chairman of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. Former newsman Allan Nawal was appointed to the IRC Group of Companies as a member of its board.

Duterte also named former Deputy Executive Secretary Michael Ong as acting Senior Deputy Executive Secretary.

Meanwhile officials of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) have called on President Duterte to dismiss Assistant Secretary Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson following her controversial video promoting Federalism.

Nine PCOO executives, in a letter addressed to the Chief Executive, said Uson must be removed from her post for allegedly violating Section 4(b) of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (Republic Act 6713).

The said provision states public officials and employees “shall perform and discharge their duties with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence and skill.”

The code also emphasized government officials shall endeavor “to discourage wrong perceptions of their roles as dispensers or peddlers of undue patronage.”

Uson had been accused in the past of posting erroneous information in her blog with five million followers.