Lawyer and spokesperson of Wanda Tulfo-Teo said his client resigned from her post as Department of Tourism (DOT) secretary out of ‘delicadeza.’
Despite the resignation, Ferdinand Topacio said Teo “still enjoys trust and confidence of the President.”
“I think she felt that as time went on and that the issue would not die down, it might also hurt the President,” Topacio said.
Malacañang confirmed on Tuesday, May 8, that Wanda Tulfo-Teo has stepped down from her post as Department of Tourism (DOT) secretary.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced the resignation after speaking with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea who confirmed that Teo submitted her resignation letter prior to the Cabinet meeting which happened last night, May 7.
Roque, however, did not confirm if President Rodrigo Duterte has received the letter.
Topacio said Teo personally handed her letter of resignation to Medialdea.
“Her letter was personally handed by her to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea in the [Monday] afternoon,” Topacio said.
“Her decision to leave her position was made after a long and deliberate reflection and soul-searching with respect to the events that have transpired the past few weeks.”
“Sec. Teo reiterates that she has done no wrongdoing, and that all the dealings of the DOT went through all legal processes, were above-board and done in good faith, and with total absence of malice,” Topacio said.
Topacio also clarified earlier reports which claimed Duterte pressured Teo to resign.
Earlier, a PhilStar report surfaced claiming Duterte has fired Teo. Roque, meanwhile, neither confirmed nor denied the news, but said that the two were involved in a “serious talk” after the cabinet meeting.
These come after the Commission on Audit (COA) questioned the release of Php60-million to the show “Kilos Pronto” hosted by Teo’s brother’s Ben and Erwin Tulfo.
The deal, which was divided into three payment schemes, P22.09 million in May, P18.96 million in November and another P18.96 million in December, lacked a memorandum of agreement or contract, COA said.
In defense, Teo said there was no conflict of interest in the deal since it happened between DOT and PTV 4, not between DOT and Kilos Pronto producers, Bitag Media Unlimited Inc (BMUI), which is also owned by the brothers.
PHOTO FROM: Special Assistant to the President Bong Go
