Million-dollar deal costs official her job

Despite resigning as Tourism Secretary, Teo says she still enjoys Duterte’s trust

Philippines Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo resigned yesterday amid a scandal over a P60 million ($1.1 million or Dh4.2 million) advertisement contract awarded to her brother, Ben Tulfo, by her office.

She becomes the 12th senior government official to leave office since President Rodrigo Duterte swept to power in May 2016.

When he campaigned for the highest office, Duterte promised to axe government officials “[over] even a whiff or a whisper of corruption”.

Teo resigned out of “delicadeza” (propriety), but she “still enjoys trust and confidence of the President,” Atty. Ferdinand Topacio said yesterday.

“I think she felt that as time went on and that the issue would not die down, so it might hurt the President. She wanted to spare everyone further pain, including the President,” said Topacio, adding. “It was a long thought process. Initially, her inclination was to not to resign, but to clear her name [when investigated by the Office of the Ombudsman].”

Critics accused Teo of conflict of interest. The controversy began after the Commission on Audit refused to approve the P60 million payment for her brother, broadcaster Ben Tulfo, whose family-owned company — Bitag Media Unlimited Inc. (BMU) — bagged a major advertising production contract.

His contract included the airing of the tourism department’s advertisements on his programme, “Kilos Pronto [Fast Action]” on PTV4, a government-owned TV network.

Critics accused Teo of conflict of interest. The controversy began after the Commission on Audit refused to approve the P60 million payment for her brother, Ben Tulfo.

Money to be returned

In an earlier response, Teo said the legal bureau of the tourism department reviewed the bidding process for the advertisement project which her brother won, adding she was not responsible for PTV’s decision to place the advertisements (for her office) on the TV programme anchored by her brother.

Meanwhile, Tulfo has also decided to return the P60 million to the government to protect his family’s name.

“It should not be seen as an admission of guilt,” said lawyer Topacio.

Duterte has fired 11 government chiefs over various charges involving corruption and nepotism since becoming president.