No categorical statement from Palace if Teo still enjoys the President’s trust

Malacañang gave a less than categorical response when asked whether Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo still has the trust and confidence of President Rodrigo Duterte, following the P60-million tourism ad controversy.

“Every Cabinet member, unless they are fired, enjoys the trust and confidence of the President,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing on Thursday.

Roque’s response was far different from his categorical answer when asked to comment on calls for Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano to resign.

“As far as the Palace is concerned, there’s no reason for him to resign because I think he still has the full trust and confidence of the President, and I think what we have in Kuwait is something that can be overcome eventually,” he said.

READ: No reason for Cayetano to resign — Palace

Roque earlier said that Malacañang was investigating the Department of Tourism (DOT) under Teo, following the Commission on Audit’s (COA) report that the agency paid P60 million for advertisements on a government television program produced by her brother Ben Tulfo.

Asked if the allegations againstTeo may be considered a corrupt practice, Roque said he should not comment while the investigation is ongoing.

“I reserve judgment, because it is being investigated by the Office of the President…I should not comment,” he said.

READ: Palace probes DOT over P60-M ads on Tulfo’s PTV 4 show

Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go said the President would want to know the real score behind the COA report.

READ: Probe into P60-M tourism ad includes Andanar

The COA audit of the state-run People’s Television Network Inc. (PTNI) showed that there was no memorandum of agreement (MOA) or contract between the network and Ben Tulfo’s Bitag Media Unlimited Inc. (BMUI) to air DOT advertisements in its “Kilos Pronto” show.

Teo has repeatedly denied involvement in the release of the DOT commercials on her brother’s show. She said the contract was between the DOT and the state-run network. /ee

READ: Teo denies hand in PTV 4 ad deal: It’s a gov’t to gov’t contract