Mon Tulfo asks Palace to probe Ben, Wanda; says P60-M ad deal irregular

The saga of the controversial P60-million advertising contract between former Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo and her brother Ben Tulfo entered a new chapter on Saturday when Ramon Tulfo wrote in his Inquirer column that the ad contract between his siblings was irregular, either way one looks at it.

"My critics are having a field day...I don’t blame them...No matter from what angle you look at it, the contract was irregular, as Wanda poured in millions of pesos in advertisements with PTV 4, where Ben is a private contractor," Mon wrote.

The columnist said he sees "conflict of interest" on Wanda's part.

He was also concerned that critics "have been hounding President [Rodrigo Duterte], saying that Wanda and Ben are being spared because of his close friendship with me."

Ramon, who stands as the Tulfos' patriarch, urged Malacañang and other government agencies to investigate Ben and Wanda.

"I also ask that other officials of PTV 4, who were allegedly in cahoots with Ben, as well as those in the upper echelons of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, who allowed the irregular contract, be investigated," he said. 

"If warranted, all of them should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law...Ben and Wanda may be charged with plunder, a non-bailable offense, for all I care," he added. 

The columnist lamented that the issue has "besmirched" his reputation, as well as those of his other siblings, Raffy and Erwin.

He recalled a televised statement made by Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque who instructed all Tulfo brothers to return the P60 million.

The eldest Tulfo said he called the spokesperson and said: “Harry, it’s unfair to involve all of us who are innocent. Raffy and Erwin are hurting. Why don’t you just mention Ben? Why involve all of us?”

"Dammit," said the columnist. "I didn’t know anything about the darn contract, why should my name be dragged into the mess?"

"I built and nurtured the Tulfo name over the years as a hard-hitting, no-nonsense columnist and broadcast commentator. I have managed to keep my nose clean since 1970 when I entered the journalism profession," he said.

"And yet, in one moment, our name has been tarnished because of the recklessness of one or two siblings," he added. —Margaret Claire Layug/LBG, GMA News