By ELLEN TORDESILLAS
THE resignation of Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim has left unresolved the problem with a politically well-connected tourism official he has brought to the attention of President Aquino.
Highly reliable sources said Lim has informed President Benigno S. Aquino III about alleged questionable activities of Mark Lapid, chief operating officer of Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).
But he was told to wait until Congress had passed the Malacanang-initiated postponement of the election in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao as they needed the vote of Lapid’s father, Sen. Lito Lapid, according to source.
Lapid was former boyfriend of Aquino’s youngest sister Kris.
A former governor of Pampanga, Lapid’s position was also initially listed among the “midnight” or eleventh-hour appointments of then outgoing President Gloria Arroyo.
Lapid, however, said the TIEZA post could not be considered a midnight appointment because it was merely a nominal change from his old post as general manager of the Philippine Tourism Authority.
Lim announced Friday his resignation, which he submitted to the President on Monday and takes effect on Aug. 31. He cited “personal” reasons.
“My reason for resigning is personal. I would like to spend more time with my family. My responsibilities require a great deal of travel and time away from my loved ones,” Lim said.
Lim was earlier identified by a newspaper as one of the three Cabinet secretaries that the President complained about as always giving him bad news and headaches.
It was also during Lim’s stint that the Department of Tourism launched the much-criticized promotional campaign “Pilipinas Kay Ganda.” Tourism Undersecretary Vicente Romano resigned as a result.
In accepting his resignation, Malacanang praised Lim for being a “the chief advocate of the Pocket Open Skies Policy, the landmark breakthrough from the protectionist policies of the past.”
Malacanang also said during Lim’s one year stint as tourism secretary international visitors increased to an unprecedented level: over 3.7 million arrivals between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011.
Lim had submitted his department’s accomplishment to the Palace for inclusion in Aquino’s State of the Nation Address, but this was “deleted,” according to sources.
Following is the full text of Lim’s statement on his resignation:
I would like to announce that I have tendered my resignation as Secretary of Tourism and head of the department’s attached agencies, effective August 31, 2011.
The President has kindly accepted my resignation.
My reason for resigning is personal. I would like to spend more time with my family. My responsibilities require a great deal of travel and time away from my loved ones.
I leave the President’s Cabinet gratified that I have laid the foundation for strong tourism growth, in keeping with the President’s vision of inclusive growth.
I thank the President for the opportunity I was given to serve the Filipino people as a member of his Cabinet.
I have undiminished hopes that the President will realize his vision for all our people. He has my very best wishes for the continued success of his presidency.