Duterte likely conducting “discreet” probe vs Andanar over tourism ad deal: Panelo

June 4, 2019

President Rodrigo Duterte could have been conducting "discreet investigation" against Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar who allegedly connived in manipulating the questionable P60-million advertisement deal by the Department of Tourism with the state-run People's Television Network.

President Rodrigo Duterte's special envoy to China Ramon Tulfo, in an interview with CNN Philippines on Monday, accused Andanar and his brother Ben Tulfo of manipulating the ads, which made then Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo clueless. Teo quit from the post in May 2018 following the controversy.

Andanar denied last year that he had a hand in the contract.

The 60-million advertisement deal was awarded by the DOT to "Kilos Pronto," a program produced by Bitag Media Unlimited, Inc., owned by Ben and a blocktimer on PTV4, an attached agency of the PCOO.

The Commission on Audit had questioned the deal.

Despite the latest allegation by Mon against Andanar, the latter remains as the PCOO chief, contrary to Duterte's action against some of his appointees whom he immediately fired or asked to quit from the post whenever he learned of corruption allegations.

"You know, it's basic law that allegations are not proof," said Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, also chief presidential legal counsel.

Further pressed how Andanar differed from the other appointees who were immediately fired due to corruption allegations, he said, "The allegations are there, but usually - not only usually - the President makes discreet investigation."

He added that "most likely" Duterte was also conducting discreet probe against Andanar.

Panelo also said that it would be up to the Office of the Ombudsman or any concerned investigating body to conduct a probe against the PCOO chief.

He said that Andanar would surely be responding on the concerns raised by Mon.

At the same time, on the call for the Tulfos to return the P60 million, Panelo said that it would be up to the Department of Justice to handle the matter since it is also investigating the controversial deal.

"The Palace always wants that laws are not only enforced but are obeyed to its fullest extent," Panelo said.

"As we said, there are no sacred cows in this government, friends or allies," he added. Celerina Monte/DMS