After Dacera's death, Makati hotel ordered to explain why guests were accepted for leisure purposes

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has issued a show-cause order for the City Garden Grand Hotel in Makati — the same establishment where the body of flight attendant Christine Dacera was found — to explain within three days why it should not be suspended for the possible violations for accepting guests for leisure purposes.

In a letter from the DOT dated January 5, 2021, DOT regional director Woodrow Maquiling Jr. tasked City Garden Grand Hotel general manager Richard Heazon to explain why the hotel continued to accept guests even as rules dictate that this is not allowed for establishments used as a quarantine or isolation facility.

"It has come to the attention of the DOT that the demise of a Philippine Airlines flight attendant allegedly occurred during a party held in your establishment on 31 December 2020. We understand based on reports that several individuals have checked-in or spent the evening in one of your rooms on the said date," the letter read.

According to the DOT, City Garden Grand Hotel must explain why it should not be suspended or revoked for violation of the foregoing issuances.

GMA News Online has reached out to City Garden Grand Hotel through the contact details posted on its website for comment, but no response has been received as of this posting.

The latest development comes after Dacera was found lifeless in a bathtub in the hotel after a celebration with friends in the same establishment on January 1. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but declared dead on arrival due to a ruptured aortic aneurysm.

The Makati Police said there were indications of foul play in her death as they said Dacera had bruises and had sexual contact, but the autopsy report has yet to be released.

Dacera was said to be with 11 other people during the celebration, three of whom have been arrested while the other eight remain at large. —KG, GMA News