Agriculture Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat was named as the new Tourism Secretary following Wanda Teo’s resignation.
Bernadette Romulo-Puyat is the new Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary after Wander Teo resigned.
On Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Agriculture Undersecretary Puyat to assume the position of Teo, as it was confirmed by Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go.
The administration of President has confirmed the said resignation of the former DOT chief through Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
“Yes, accepted,” Roque said when asked if the Chief Executive has accepted Teo’s resignation.
The appointment of the new Tourism Secretary came after the resignation of Teo because of the controversial P60-million tourism advertisement on PTV, based on the report published in Inquirer.
Her resignation was submitted to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea prior to the Cabinet meeting that took place last Monday in Malacañang.
After the said meeting, Teo and the President had a long private talk, Roque stated.
Bernadette Romulo-Puyat is not a newbie in government service and she is not a stranger to President Duterte as prior to her appointment as DOT’s new chief, she served as the agriculture undersecretary for Administration, Agribusiness and Marketing, and Regional Engagement since July 2017.
During the Aquino administration, she served as DA’s undersecretary for special concerns while during the Arroyo administration she worked as a consultant at the Presidential Magement Staff.
Based on the article also published in Inquirer, Puyat has been visible in events with the President.
On the other hand, the Palace has no official statement yet regarding the choice of the President in appointing her as the new DOT Secretary.
Puyat is the daughter of Alberto Romulo, who was a Senator during the administration of Cory Aquino and Fidel Ramos, and Rosie Lovely Tecson-Romulo
She has been a widow since 2010 when her husband, lawyer David Puyat died of heart attack, based on the source.