Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Teo denied a “malicious” statement linking her into the release of DOT commercials on her brother Ben Tulfo’s show on the People’s Television Network, Inc. (PTNI).
Teo clarified on Monday that the commercial contract was between the DOT and the state-run network.
“I’m here because I would like to clarify a malicious statement that I signed a contract with a production house which is under by my brother and the DOT,” Teo said during a press briefing.
“Hindi po totoo ‘yan (That’s not true). The contract was between the DOT and PTV4. It is a government to government contract,” Teo added.
According to a Commission on Audit report, the tourism department paid P60 million worth of advertisement to the state-run station.
PTV4 then released the multi-million advertisement on its show “Bitag,” a show produced and hosted by Teo’s brothers Ben and Erwin Tulfo.
READ: COA: Teo’s DOT paid P60M for ads on brother Tulfo’s PTV 4 show
However, Teo said that there was “no conflict of interest” on her part despite the fact that the commercial was aired on her brothers’ television program.
According to Teo, it was the decision of the network to place the advertisements on her brothers’ show.
“Ang contract po was between PTV-4 and DOT because iyung request po ni Presidente [Rodrigo Duterte] is we support the government station,” she said.
(The contract was between PTV-4 and DOT because the President requested that we support the government station.)
“Wala na po akong pakialam kung ilalagay nila sa kapatid ko (I’m not concerned if they put it on my brother’s program). There is no conflict of interest because at the end of the day, the contract was between PTV-4 and DOT,” Teo added.
The Malacañang said that it has started its own probe regarding the matter.
“I would like to confirm that the Palace is looking into the matter,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in a Palace briefing. /je
READ: Palace probes DOT over P60-M ads on Tulfo’s PTV 4 show
