Senate probe into DOT ad controversy up to blue ribbon chairman – Sotto

MANILA — The decision to investigate a controversial Department of Tourism advertisement contract is up to the chair of the Senate blue ribbon committee chair, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said yesterday.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV earlier Monday had reiterated his call for the Senate panel to look into the matter. He would also file plunder charges against former Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo and her brothers Ben and Erwin Tulfo.

Trillanes filed a Senate resolution in May seeking an inquiry into the potentially anomalous advertisement deal between the DOT, state-run PTV network, and Ben Tulfo's Bitag Media Unlimited Inc.

According to Sotto, Sen. Richard Gordon, panel chair, would decide on whether hearings would be held.

Trillanes and Gordon traded barbs last year when the Senate blue ribbon committee held hearings on the P6.4-billion shabu smuggling case that had led to the resignation of some Customs officials and the reassignment of others.

Trillanes had alleged that Paolo Duterte, the president's son and who was vice mayor of Davao City at the time, was involved in drug smuggling. Gordon cleared the president's son, who had denied Trillanes' accusations, and said the committee would not make decisions based on hearsay and rumors.