Wanda Tulfo-Teo Draws Backlash Over ‘Can We Not Wait’ Remark
WANDA TULFO-TEO — The former Department of Tourism Secretary became the center of online discussion after her response to a call for help from residents of Manay, Davao Oriental, went viral. The town was one of the areas affected by the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck on Friday, October 10.
In a Facebook post, Tulfo-Teo addressed the people of Manay, who were reportedly seeking assistance from her family. She reminded them that the Tulfo siblings had always extended help even without any calamities, providing medical aid from their own funds. She added that, through the help of Senator Erwin Tulfo, Manay had received significant government programs such as the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), Assistance to Individuals in Crisis (AICs), and Tupad benefits, making them a priority for support from the DSWD and DOLE. Tulfo-Teo also mentioned that their family donated several hectares of land where the town hospital now stands, questioning if that was not already enough help.
She continued by saying that although her mother is from Manay and her father from Ilocos, their family has always prioritized Davao Oriental. She explained that they did not grow up in Manay, as only their relatives stayed there. She further clarified that Senator Erwin Tulfo was in Geneva attending a conference but had been communicating about the situation in Manay and already had plans for further assistance. Tulfo-Teo said she had also been in contact with Governor Nelson Dayanghirang and ended her message by asking if people could not simply wait.
As of 9:57 p.m. on Sunday, October 12, the controversial post was no longer visible on her Facebook page. However, netizens had already taken screenshots and shared them widely on social media, sparking heated discussions. It was also noted that her last visible post before this issue was on January 23, when she only changed her cover photo.
The deleted post drew mixed reactions from the public. Some expressed embarrassment and disappointment, while others criticized the tone of her message. As of now, Wanda Tulfo-Teo has not issued any official statement or clarification regarding the controversy.