DOT exec in ‘bestie’ controversy resigns

MANILA, Philippines —  A high-ranking official of the Department of Tourism (DOT) who drew flak for bragging on social media has resigned from her post.

Undersecretary for legal and special concerns Mae Elaine Bathan, chief of staff of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, quit last April 30 after filing her resignation letter four days prior, according to earlier reports.

She did not cite her reason for vacating her post, but she would likely return to private law practice.

Undersecretary for tourism regulation coordination Shahlimar Hofer Tamano has taken over as Frasco’s chief-of-staff in an acting capacity, while Bathan is still listed as as “undersecretary,” based on the DOT website.

Bathan caught the ire of netizens after posting her conversation with her best friend Regal Oliva, treasurer of the city government of Mandaue in Cebu, a month ago that became viral.

Bathan left a meeting that allegedly involved “airport takeover and privatization” to help Oliva – who was in Japan – use Google Translate to be able to read the menu written in Japanese and order food.

Both Bathan and Oliva apologized, with the former DOT official maintaining she would “never brush aside my duties and responsibilities as a public servant.”

The DOT and Frasco have not spoken up on the issue.