PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte had the chance to hold a "lengthy" and "serious" discussion with Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo after the Cabinet meeting Monday night, May 7.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr., however, could not give additional details as he was not privy to the issues raised during the dialogue.

"Their meeting took a bit longer," Roque said in a radio interview Tuesday, May 8.

"I don't have basis to say what they talked about. What I can confirm is they had a one-on-one and serious discussion," he added.

The meeting between Duterte and Teo was held amid calls for the embattled Tourism chief to resign, after controversy erupted over the P60-million Department of Tourism (DOT) advertisements placed in a state-run PTV4's television program, Kilos Pronto, that is hosted by Teo’s brothers, Ben and Erwin Tulfo.

Teo has refused to heed the resignation calls and attended the Cabinet meeting led by Duterte on Monday at the Malacañan Palace.

A photo from Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go showed a smiling Teo shaking hands with the President.

On Tuesday, news reports claimed that Duterte had sacked Teo after the Cabinet meeting.

When asked to confirm the President's reported decision to fire Teo, Roque said: "I don't have information. I cannot confirm nor deny that."

The President has vowed to get rid of corruption in government by removing public officials who are accused of even just a "whiff of corruption." (SunStar Philippines)