The Department of Justice is waiting for an official directive from Malacañang concerning the controversial P60-million deal between the Department of Tourism (DOT) and government-run TV station, PTV 4 in 2017.
In a text message, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra confirmed that the Office of the Ombudsman is already investigating the matter. He added that the DOJ is “ready to help” in the probe.
“I’m verifying directly with Sec. Panelo, just waiting for his reply,” Guevarra’s message reads.
It will be recalled that Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo announced yesterday that the DOJ will take steps to recover the P60-million in ad placement fees that the DOT paid to broadcaster Ben Tulfo’s Bitag Media two years ago. Bitag is a blocktimer at PTV-4 and is owned by Ben Tulfo.
The deal was awarded to Bitag’s show, Kilos Pronto, which is hosted by the Tulfo brothers.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat wants to return the P60-M to the Commission on Audit.
This controversy resulted in the resignation of then DOT Secretary Wanda Teo who is the sister of the Tulfo brothers.
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