Palace looking into PTV-4 advertising deal

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday said the Malacañang is investigating state-run People's Television Network, Inc.'s payment of P60 million to Ben Tulfo's company to air Department of Tourism ads.

“I would like to confirm that the Palace is looking into the matter,” Roque said.

Roque added that the issue has reached President Rodrigo Duterte. He assured the public that it is being probed.

PTV-4, or People's Television Network, Inc. (PTNI), is under the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

Last Friday, the Commission on Audit questioned PTNI for issuing P60 million to Tulfo’s media outfit Bitag Media Unlimited Inc. (BMUI) to air advertisements of the DOT. Tulfo is the brother of Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo, who has denied having a hand in the deal.

She said her department dealt with PTNI and that she had nothing to do with the network's deal with her brother's company.

The state auditors said the transaction between the PTNI and BMUI lacked supporting documents, which the state-run netwrrk has disputed. It said it submitted the required documents at its exit conference with the Commission on Audit.

Secretary Teo and Ben Tulfo have both said they are only accountable to their respective agreements with PTNI. Both have also hinted that the COA report, a public document that the commission released last week, is part of a demolition job.

READ: Tourism chief Teo: No hand in PTV-4 deal with brother's media outfit | Ben Tulfo claims ex-SSS official 'leaked' report on COA website

PTNI earlier said it completed the requirements of COA and has since clarified the concerns with the commission.

Roque said the Palace respects the findings of COA.

Asked if Teo needs to leave her post while the probe is ongoing, Roque replied that “there is no reason for her to leave.”

READ: La Viña denies involvement in ‘demolition job’ vs new boss Teo