A Tourism official drew flak online after posting on Facebook that she prioritized helping a friend in Japan access Google Translate over a meeting on “the airport takeover and privatization.”
“When your bestfriend 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,” Tourism Undersecretary for legal concerns Elaine Bathan said in her Facebook post.
Bathan also tagged her friend, lawyer and Mandaue City treasurer Regal Oliva, in her post, with a screenshot of their conversation.
Oliva also posted a transcript of their conversation on her Facebook account.
“She was in a middle of a very important meeting that concerns a sensitive national issue,” Oliva wrote in her now deleted post.
In her post, Oliva said Bathan replied to her message: “Maaaa, you don’t know what meeting I had to stop for this, but ok…Hahaha – feeding you in Japan is more important than matters of national concern Ma.”
Bathan on Friday said her social media activity “never intends to disrespect the office I represent, my colleagues in government, or the purpose of my work” as she apologized to her boss, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, and to the public.
“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.
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,” Bathan 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.”
Oliva also said in a separate post that she “exaggerated parts of my conversation with a friend.”
“It was a lapse of judgment that tarnished the integrity of one of the most hardworking, dedicated, and upstanding leaders and persons I know…. Apologies to those whose sensibilities I may have caused to erupt,” Oliva added.