DOT exec under fire over Facebook post

CEBU, Philippines — Tourism Undersecretary for legal and special concerns Mae Elaine Bathan, also the chief of staff of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, drew criticisms following her Facebook post where she allegedly prioritized helping a friend in Japan while in a meeting about national concerns.

In a viral public Facebook post being shared by netizens across social media platforms, Bathan shared a screenshot of her supposed conversation with her best friend lawyer Regal Oliva, also the Mandaue City Treasurer. Bathan shared that Oliva sought her assistance as the latter “needed help on Google Translate” that prompted her to stop her meeting about a national issue.

“When your best friend calls you because she needed help on Google Translate so she can eat and thrive in Japan, all else will have to stop. Even if it’s about the airport takeover and privatization,” Bathan’s caption read. She also tagged Oliva in her post with the screenshot of their conversation.

Oliva also took to Facebook to share her account while in Japan, captioning it as “True Story.”

She said that she cannot find an English menu in Japan while craving Japanese cuisine so she called her “bestie,” Bathan.

“She was in a middle of a very important meeting that concerns a sensitive national issue,” Oliva wrote, and then attaching a transcript of their conversation where she is supposedly asking Bathan to teach her how to use Google Translate.

Bathan allegedly replied: “Maaaa, you don’t know what meeting I had to stop for this, but ok…,” Oliva wrote, recounting that her best friend gave instructions.

The Department of Tourism official was also quoted as saying “Hahaha – feeding you in Japan is more important that matters of national concern Ma.”

Demand for explanation

The screenshot of these two Facebook posts circulated on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) and garnered negative reactions from online users. The two has verified Facebook accounts.

They called for explanation about the DOT official’s move to consider feeding her friend in Japan “more important that matters of national concern.”

“Atty. Elaine Tantengco Bathan and Atty. Regal Oliva can you please explain to us why feeding a friend in Japan is more important than matters of national concern?” writer EB Jugalbot wrote.

“Even if it was a joke between the two of you, since you are also lawyers of significant professional experience, was there ever a need for you both to post that conversation on your respective Facebook walls?” he added.

Others called out the “alarming level of entitlement in this ministration,” citing the misuse of taxpayers' money by officials. The posts by Bathan and Oliva are no longer accessible online. However, several online users are circulating screenshots of these posts.

Bathan expressed regret that her Facebook post is “taking away attention from more serious matters.”

Following the criticisms, the undersecretary stressed that her social media activity “never intends to disrespect the office she represents, her colleagues and the purpose of her work.”

“I acknowledge that as a public servant, I should be more mindful of how and what I share, especially in public to not cause any confusion,” Bathan said.

The DOT official also apologized to Frasco, her colleagues and the public following the post.

“I would like to assure everyone that I would never brush aside my duties and responsibilities as a public servant - these will always be my priority,” the undersecretary said.

“I ask for the kind understanding and sincerely apologize to the Secretary, my colleagues and the public. Moving forward, I will practice more discernment in my use of any social media platform to ensure that this will not happen again. Thank you and I sincerely apologize for any negative sentiments this may have caused,” she concluded.

'Post had been taken out of context'

Meanwhile, Oliva in a separate Facebook post on Thursday said that her previous post “had been taken out of context.”

“My previous post had been taken out of context, primarily because I exaggerated parts of my conversation with a friend. I have been receiving several advices to just take it down as people who do not know the friendship I share with Usec Elaine Bathan is always exaggerated. Because that is how we are,” Oliva said, stressing that she is lucky to have a friend in Bathan.

“It was a lapse of judgment that tarnished the integrity of one of the most hardworking, dedicated, and upstanding leaders and persons I know,” Oliva said.

Oliva also apologized for posting her experience in Japan.

“Apologies to those whose sensibilities I may have caused to erupt. Maybe my true-to-life experience of having the most difficult time in Japan led me to desperately seek help, but sorry. (crying emoji) for Elaine will always come on top of mind when it comes to ‘call a friend,’” Oliva said.

The DOT has yet to respond to Philstar.com’s request for comment on Bathan’s viral Facebook post. This story will be updated upon the agency’s response.

In July last year, Bathan served as the officer-in-charge of the DOT while Frasco was on a family leave. — Philstar.com