Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda took a dig at his province-mate, 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman, over the latter's apparent dismissal of his comments on the Department of Tourism's (DOT) promotional video as mere "political soundbite". The opportunity came for Salceda after DDB Philippines admitted and apologized for its rather embarrassing use of stock footage from other countries in creating the new Philippine promotional video. "One lesson here is not to dismiss legitimate concerns as 'political soundbites' but to listen, consult, and discuss," he said. The former three-term Albay governor was obviously calling back to Lagman's siding with the DOT on the wisdom of how the promotional video was put together. Last week when the DDB Philippines video was launched, Salceda was up in arms after realizing that no imagery of the Albay's famous Mayon Volcano made the cut. The currently restive Mayon is the province's top tourism draw--something that Salceda highlighted in his subsequent statements and social media postings. On Friday, June 30, Lagman shared to House of Representatives reporters the text of his letter to DOT Secretary Christina Frasco, wherein he wrote: "The purported disenchantment of Rep. Joey Salceda on the low priority given by the [DOT] to the Mayon Volcano as a tourist destination is essentially political soundbite." At first, Salceda responded by saying that he need not apologize for standing up for Albay and the people he represents. On Sunday, already aware of the DOT contractor's foul up, he said: "The country's branding is reflective of our identity and aspirations as a people: what's wrong with wanting to be represented well in that?" Salceda also made an ominous remark directed at DOT officials, which he will meet later this year in the House of Representatives during the deliberations on the national budget. "I hope all these issues can be rectified before the budget hearings. Otherwise, I have a duty to ask questions," he said.
Source: Manila Bulletin (https://mb.com.ph/2023/7/2/salceda-hits-back-at-lagman-over-political-soundbite-remark-says-he-has-legitimate-concerns)
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