Best for Teo to resign before Duterte axes her — Villarin

An opposition lawmaker on Monday said it might be best for Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo to resign before she is ousted by President Rodrigo Duterte, who has promised to fire government officials at the "first whiff of corruption."

In a message to reporters, Akbayan party-list Representative Tom Villarin said that despite Teo's announcement that her brother Ben Tulfo's Bitag Media Unlimited Inc. (BMU) will return the P60 million it received to air the Department of Tourism's (DOT) advertisements on its program on PTV, "the deed is done, the doers undone."

"The mental torment of their despicable act and President Duterte’s warning of a whiff of corruption and you’re out forced them to such decision," he said.

"It’s an afterthought when all things weigh against them not because their hands are clean," he added.

Teo's counsel Ferdinand Topacio announced on Monday that Teo and her brothers have agreed to return the P60 million after a family meeting.

"Alam ko na there were moves towards that last week pero hindi pa finalized. And it was only today that Secretary Wanda called me and said, 'Attorney Ferdie ito na ang napag-usapan namin na nag-family meeting na ito, ibabalik na yung pera,'" Topacio said.

"'Kung hindi man mabawi, kasi nasweldo na yun, nagamit na sa production, mag-aambag-ambag na lang kaming magkakapatid para hindi na lang magkaroon ng kahihiyan,'" he added, still quoting her.

'Whiff of corruption'

This, however, does not absolve Teo of her liability in the transaction, Villarin said.

"It doesn’t exculpate them from such wrongful acts and the Malacañang investigation of the DOT-Bitag Media P60-million deal should lead to a conclusive ending," he said.

"The best option still is for Secretary Teo to resign so she won’t force the hand of President Duterte to axe her," he added.

Duterte has declared that he will fire government officials "at the first whiff of corruption," a phrase that has also been repeated by presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

'Admission of guilt'

For his part, ACT Teachers party-list Representative Antonio Tinio said Teo's announcement that BMU will return the money can be considered an "admission of guilt."

"It will not efface the accountability of Secretary Teo for the improper transaction. She should still resign," he said.

Malacañang has yet to comment on the possible legal consequences that Teo may face as regards the announcement to return the payments.

It, however, said that it would look into the issue. — BM, GMA News