(Eagle News) — Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo disputed on Wednesday, Aug. 15, the Commission on Audit report she had withdrawn goods and made luxurious purchases of items for herself from Duty Free stores.
In a television interview, Teo said the withdrawn items–which COA said amounted to P2.17 million–and purchased items–allegedly amounting to P346,446.80–were for “corporate accounts.”
“When somebody would solicit from me, there’s a golf tournament, ‘Kailangan namin ng refrigerator, TV’, you give them. And then let’s say merong mga events, let’s say ‘yung Marawi incident. ‘Yung fallen soldiers, we gave them packs of goods, goodies, lahat ‘yan,” she said.
She said she felt “insulted” by the accusations against her, saying she “can afford” to purchase the items in her personal capacity.
She said she had already been traveling a lot even before she was Tourism Secretary.
“Mas mura mo pang nabibili ‘yung goods sa labas eh, because sometimes they are 50-percent off sa Europe ‘yung mga bags diyan and then meron pa ‘yung global tax refund. Eh ba’t ako kukuha sa Duty Free dito?” she said.
On Tuesday, Aug. 14, the blue ribbon committee held a hearing on the contract between PTV 4 and the Department of Tourism Teo led.
The contract allowed for tourism ad placements in Kilos Pronto, the program run by Teo’s brother Ben, and co-hosted by her other brother Erwin.
Teo and her brothers reiterated the contract was aboveboard.