Malacañang has announced the appointment of Roberto “Bob” Zozobrado as the general manager and CEO of the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), replacing Cynthia Lagdameo Carrion.
The move follows a report submitted to Malacañang by Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, detailing Carrion’s alleged misconduct during Senate hearings on the 2024 national budget.
The Manila Standard Lifestyle columnist currently serves as the president of the Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP).
He is expected to resign from his private sector posts upon assuming leadership of the PRA, a government-owned and -controlled corporation (GOCC) mandated to promote the Philippines as a retirement haven.
Zozobrado is known for his extensive experience in the tourism industry, having taken on various roles in international airlines and the hospitality industry.
He was also the former Director of Sales at the old Hyatt Regency Manila, a public relations specialist, and marketing consultant. Prior to his election as TCP president, he was chair of the Philippines chapter of the Pacific Asia Travel Association.
As TCP president, he played a key role in establishing the group’s office at the DOT building in Makati and signed a memorandum of understanding with the agency, automatically making newly accredited travel and tourism establishments TCP members.
Zozobrado’s appointment is set to take effect after his swearing-in scheduled for Feb. 15, according to official documentation from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.