Teo: No idea Ben Tulfo is with ‘Kilos Pronto’

MANILA, Philippines — Resigned Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo on Tuesday claimed she was uninformed that her brother Ben Tulfo is with news-type magazine program “Kilos Pronto.”

"I didn't know that Kilos Pronto is of Ben Tulfo. All I know is that he is Bitag," Teo said when asked by Senate blue ribbon committee chair Gordon about her knowledge in the controversial P60-million tourism advertisement deal between the Department of Tourism and the state-run People’s Television Network.

In a Senate hearing, Gordon pointed out that Teo had a signature in the contract with PTV.

However, Teo maintained that PTV, whom she claimed suggested “Kilos Pronto,” did not indicate that her brother’s media outfit Bitag Media Unlimited Inc. is involved in the contract. BMUI ran “Kilos Pronto” until April this year.

Teo claimed she only learned of BMUI’s involvement in the deal when the Commission on Audit’s report made it to the headlines.

"Had I known it I would not sign the contract," she said.

Teo stressed that she did not know Tulfo was the host and owner of the news program because she does not have time to watch television programs.

"I am a very busy person, I am traveling a lot," Teo added.

This is not the first time Teo claimed she is unaware of the contract given to her brother.

In April, Teo said she had no hand into PTV’s deal with BMUI.

She reiterated this in the Senate hearing on Tuesday.

"My contract is with PTV-4 and DOT. Beyond that, I do not know po saan ilalagay ni (where they will place) PTV-4 yung ads namin (our ads)," she said.