(Eagle News) — Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque described as “unfortunate” Ben Tulfo’s statement he would not return the P60 million paid by the Department of Tourism under then-Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo for the placement of advertisements in his program.
“(Para) sa akin nakakalungkot iyan, dahil yung pangakong ibabalik ay galing kay Ben at kay Wanda Tulfo,” Roque said over dzrh radio.
Even then, he said President Rodrigo Duterte himself said the process to hold those accountable for the mess should proceed.
This means, according to Roque, that Tulfo was not off the hook.
“Hayaan na nating umusad ang legal na proseso laban sa kanila,” he said.
Tulfo said his company, Bitag Unlimited Inc., earned the money paid for the airing of the advertisements on his program, adding that there was noting illegal in the contract.
Teo resigned as Tourism Secretary after the Commission on Audit red-flagged the project, citing, among others, conflict of interest.