Senators to pursue probe on P60-M DOT-PTNI ads deal

From left, Senators Antonio Trillanes IV, Panfilo Lacson and Francis Pangilinan say the investigation on the controversial advertisement deal between the Department of Tourism and People’s Television Network Inc. should push through despite the resignation of its head Wanda Tulfo-Teo. INQUIRER FILES

Despite Secretary Wanda Teo’s resignation, senators still want the Senate to push through with its planned investigation on the P60 million advertisement deal between the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the People’s Television Network Inc. (PTNI).

“Secretary Teo’s resignation only confirms the allegations of corruption against her. But regardless, the Senate investigation must push through because we must know the extent of corruption at the DoT under her watch,” Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said in a text message.

“Moreover, appropriate cases must be filed against her and those involved in the ad scam and other anomalies,” he added.

While Senator Nancy Binay, chair of the Senate committee on tourism, already filed a resolution seeking inquiry on the issue, Trillanes said he still planned to file a similar measure.

Senators Panfilo Lacson and Francis Pangilinan also backed the planned probe.

“Yes, it should, if only to strengthen the laws that have something to do with propriety in public service, not to mention anti-graft laws,” Lacson said in a separate text message if the Senate probe should proceed.

Teo’s resignation did not come as a surprise, however, to Lacson.

“It would be surprising if she did not,” he said. “It only shows that with authority comes responsibility and yes, accountability. It is true in any field of human endeavor, in private, more so in government.”

“One common mistake of public servants is reaching a point when they fail to distinguish right from wrong. Worse, others do not know when to stop. That is why leadership is very important in situations that call for hard decisions,” he added.

Pangilinan said the inquiry should proceed as a “means of determining accountability and in order to send the signal that corruption and abuse will not be tolerated.”

“Yung mga opisyal na sinisibak dahil sangkot sa katiwalian hindi na dapat binibigyan ng ibang pwesto sa gobyerno,” he further said. /cbb