Direk Joey Reyes denies resigning from FDCP

MANILA, Philippines — Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chairman and CEO Jose Javier Reyes has dismissed reports that he resigned from the government film agency following an aborted official trip to Spain over a business-class ticket issue.

At the closing ceremonies of the Philippine Film Industry Month, direk Joey, as he’s fondly called in showbiz circles, quipped in a speech: “Surprise! Hindi ako resigned, contrary to popular rumors who sent me trending this afternoon. I’m very much alive and still part of the FDCP.”

“Kung nag-resign ako, siguro nasa Boracay ngayon ako,” Reyes said in an interview with The Philippine STAR and a few other media outlets, further addressing speculation over his status at the government film agency.

According to reports circulating online, the veteran filmmaker tendered his resignation following the cancellation of his business-class privilege.

Asked how much of what came out was true, Reyes said, “Siguro 60 percent is false, 40 percent is true.”

What was true, he went on, was that he felt hurt over what happened with the Spain trip, although he stressed he respected decisions made by higher authorities.

“Was I hurt? Was I insulted? Yes, I was hurt, I was insulted,” he said. “I do understand the decisions made by an agency larger than you. I do understand and I do respect them. Maybe what I question was the procedure.”

Reyes was supposed to leave for Spain on Sept. 19 and return on Sept. 25 for a six-day official trip centered on the signing of two co-production agreements between the Philippines and Spain during the 74th San Sebastián International Film Festival.

“I’m not going to the San Sebastián Film Festival to look at Brad Pitt,” he said. “I’m going there to sign a memorandum of agreement with Spain for co-production of the two countries. So it’s not like I’m going there to watch movies. I’m going there to do official government business.”

The journey going there would take around 26 hours and that his actual stay there would be about two days.

He said his request for a business-class ticket was based on the privilege extended to government officials of his rank for long-haul travel, while also pointing out that he’s a senior citizen.

“Ang akin lang naman, that is a privilege — a privilege for people in my station in the government, which is undersecretary, who is a senior citizen and will travel more than four hours, to have a business-class ticket,” he said.

According to Reyes, such request had already secured the necessary approvals before the situation changed four days before his scheduled departure. “It was originally already approved by the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry). It was even approved by the Office of the President, approved by the office of Sir Ralph Recto, so everything was clear that way,” he said.

By then, Reyes added, appointments had already been arranged in Spain. So, his concern was more about the timing of the decision.

“We should have been given more time,” he admitted, confirming that DTI later informed him that the change was part of cost-cutting measures.

Reyes also stressed that he had previously opted not to travel when he felt ticket costs were too high.

“Three times this year I did not travel because I felt that the business-class ticket was too expensive,” he said.

“I did not go to Cannes, Toronto, Paris, although in Paris, I was invited for a big meeting. I did not go. It was too expensive and I did not have to really go,” he said.

“But this one I have to go because I have to sign.”

The International Administrative Agreement on Cinematographic and Audiovisual Co-production between the Philippines and Spain was nevertheless signed on Sept. 21, with the Philippine Embassy in Madrid First Secretary and Consul Dyan Kristine Miranda-Pastrana representing Reyes. Instituto de la Cinematografía y de las Artes Audiovisuales director general Marta Serrano, on the other hand, signed for the Spanish government.

Reyes explained that the agreement is meant to make co-productions between Filipino and Spanish producers easier through a government-to-government framework. The Philippines has similar co-production arrangements with other countries.

Despite his frustration over the development, Reyes countered suggestions that the incident had prompted him to quit FDCP.

He recalled that when his predecessor, Tirso Cruz III, informed him that he was stepping down and asked Reyes to take over the agency, he made a commitment to see the job through until the end of his term.

He, nevertheless, admitted to personal and professional sacrifices that have come with heading the government film agency.

“This isn’t an easy job,” he said. “There are a lot of sacrifices that you have to do.”

Among them is putting his filmmaking career on hold because of possible conflicts of interest.

“I cannot do movies because it’s a conflict of interest. I can’t even write and sell scripts because it will be conflict of interest,” Reyes said.

“Everything will have to happen in 2028,” he added.

Meanwhile, following the PFIM celebration, the FDCP is set to bring its activities to the regions through agency-supported and sponsored film festivals in Iloilo and Dumaguete. The agency is also looking into the possibility of establishing a cinematheque in Dumaguete as part of its efforts to further expand access to Filipino films and film culture outside Metro Manila.