Duterte to new DOT chief: Do not engage in corruption

MANILA, Philippines —The newly appointed Tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat on Wednesday said the president requested one thing from her once she assumes her post at the Tourism department.

Puyat, an undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture before her appointment was announced, said President Rodrigo Duterte asked her to not engage in corruption.

“'You've been in public service for a long time. You've been at the Department of Agriculture for 12 years. Your credentials speak for yourself. And you have a good reputation. You can do it,’” Puyat quoted the president as saying in Filipino in an interview with ABS-CBN’s “Umagang Kay Ganda.”

“’All I ask is don't engage in corruption.' That's what he told me. I told him: 'Of course not'," she added.

Puyat said Duterte was prompted to run for president because he wanted to end corruption. She said the president shared that he was dismayed that some of his appointed officials turned out to be corrupt.

"He said he is saddened when he learns about it. He already removed several friends (from office) because of corruption," she said.

Puyat said the president told her that he is confident she is not involved in corruption knowing her credentials and her family. The incoming Tourism secretary is the daughter of former senator and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo.

The DA undersecretary will replace Wanda Tulfo-Teo, who resigned little more than a week after the Commission on Appointments questioned state-run People's Television Network Inc's payment of P60 million to a media company owned by Teo's brother Ben Tulfo for airing Department of Tourism ads.

COA said the payments were not supported by required documents, including one authorizing PTNI to take money from the DOT and remit it to Tulfo's Bitag Media Unlimited Inc.

Teo, through her lawyer, confirmed her resignation on Tuesday morning after initially denying that she did. 

The STAR had reported that Duterte asked her to quit but her lawyer, the same one who said she had not resigned, said in a later statement that Teo had handed in her resignation on Monday afternoon.

'All transactions will go through proper processes'

Asked what she thinks about the corruption allegations against Teo, Puyat said she has not read about the agreement yet so she cannot say anything about the basis of corruption allegations.

Puyat clarified that once she assumes her post, all her transactions, such as advertisement deals, would go through proper bidding as it was the same practice by the DA.

“I will be careful…Public office sets public trust, and that’s public money,” she said.

Puyat clarified that she would still continue her work at the DA until she takes her oath as the new DOT chief.