Former Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo has expressed gratitude for the resolution of the Office of the Ombudsman dismissing all graft charges against her and six others related to P60 million worth of advertising payments placed by the Department of Tourism with government network PTV 4 for a program produced by her brother, Ben Tulfo.
“This ruling clearly shows that the rule of law and justice is alive and well in this beautiful country,” said Teo in a statement.
In a 21-page decision penned by Rosana Oliva, Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer III, and approved by Ombudsman Samuel Martires last Sept. 30, the anti-graft court cleared Teo and the others in the graft cases for lack of evidence.
“In the absence of proof that the findings of Commission on Audit (COA) in its Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM) have gained finality, the filing of the instant case borders on prematurity amounting to lack of cause of action. Wherefore, the instant criminal complaint is dismissed for want of probable cause,” the decision said.
Also cleared were Teo’s former executive assistant Arlene Mancao; Dino Antonio Apolonio, former general manager of PTV; Ramon Del Rosario, former PTV head of Airtime Management Group; Ma. Alma Francisco, administrative officer IV of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO); and broadcaster Bienvenido “Ben” Tulfo, an incorporator of Bitag Media Unlimited Inc.
The case stemmed from the P60-million ad placement deal entered into by the DOT with Ben Tulfo’s program “Kilos Pronto at PTV.”
According to the COA, Teo may have violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act or Republic Act 3019 allegedly for conflict of interest, since the DOT advertisement was placed in the program hosted by her own brother. Rio N. Araja
At the same time, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee headed by Sen. Richard Gordon conducted its own investigation and eventually recommended the filing of charges against Teo and six others.
But based on the Ombudsman’s decision, it appeared that Teo had no knowledge of the contract entered into by PTV and Ben Tulfo’s Bitag Media with the DOT.
“It is clear that then Secretary Teo’s participation and involvement in the questioned transaction is limited only insofar as DOT were in favor of PTV. The insinuation that she has a hand in the side contract executed between PTV and Bitag Media through Kilos Pronto considering that its proprietor Ben Tulfo is her sibling is unfounded,” added the decision.
The decision also stated that all contractual obligations for the advertisement contained in the contract were followed. Rio N. Araja
