Tourism chief quits amid ad deal controversy

EPresident for Teo to resign, stressing that the Tourism chief's decision to quit her post "was purely of her own volition."

"Secretary Teo reiterates that she has done no wrongdoing , and that all the dealings of the DOT went through all legal processes, were aboveboard and done in good faith, and with total absence of malice," he said.

"Secretary Teo also says that she is honored and privileged to have served as Secretary of Tourism under the Duterte Administration, where she has done her level best to discharge her duty to promote tourism both domestically and internationally,” he added. Just a few hours before Teo reportedly submitted her resignation, Topacio announced that the Tourism chief’s brother Ben intended to return the P60-million payment from PTV for the DOT ads aired on his “Kilos Pronto” program.

Topacio also announced that the DOT secretary’s husband, Roberto Teo, had resigned as member of the board of directors of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza), DOT’s infrastructure arm.

Critics called for Teo’s resignation after the Commission on Audit (COA) released its 2017 report, questioning PTV’s payment of P60 million to Bitag Media Unlimited Inc. (BMUI) for airing the DOT's advertisements on "Kilos Pronto” program.

Bitag Media, which is owned by Ben Tulfo, is a blocktimer of PTV that runs Kilos Pronto.

Teo has also been accused of conflict of interest and nepotism because of her husband’s position at Tieza.

In a press conference, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said he could not confirm Teo's resignation.

"I have not seen the letter. I have not gotten confirmation from the Executive Secretary so I still cannot confirm,” he said.

MBATTLED Tourism Secretary Wanda TulfoTeo has stepped down from office, following calls for her resignation over the Department of Tourism's (DOT) controversial P60million advertisement deal with state-run People's Television Network Inc. (PTV).