Tourism chief Puyat steers clear of P60-M DOT-Bitag ad buy mess

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat is keeping herself out of the issues surrounding the controversial P60-million ad buy involving her predecessor Wanda Teo and Teo’s brother Ben Tulfo and his company Bitag Media Unlimited, saying proper authorities will deal with the matter.

“As I have said, we will refer that to the proper authorities ... We will leave it up to the proper authorities and the Ombudsman,” Puyat told reporters in an ambush interview in Makati City.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV earlier said a proper investigation will unmask executives of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) who benefitted from the DOT-Bitag deal.

Trillanes is filing plunder charges against Teo and her brothers in connection with the P60 million deal.

On his a Facebook post on July 26, Tulfo insisted he will not return the P60 million to the government.

“Sa mga nagsasabing isauli ang pera at hinihintay daw ang P60 M, mamuti na mga mata niyo! Wala kaming isasauli! Sa mga nagsasabing ilegal at nangulimbat kami, eh di sampahan niyo kami ng kaso, tutal nandiyan naman ang COA (Commission on Audit) at Ombudsman!”

Teo’s lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said the P60-million paid by the DOT to Bitag was already spent. It was Topacio who said that the Tulfos will return the money to the government.

Asked to comment on Tulfo’s remarks, Puyat said it is better for COA to react on the matter.

She said the DOT has done its part by submitting contracts and documents concerning for COA to review.

Puyat assumed as DOT secretary after Teo resigned over the P60-million ad buy involving tourism ads on Tulfo’s block time show on state-run PTV-4. —VDS, GMA News