Mayor's Sister Heads CTV, Which Won NT$14 Million Taichung Festival Contract; Councilors Question Conflict of Interest

A NT$14 million promotional contract for Taichung's "Pot and Grill Festival" has been awarded to CTV, a media company headed by Lu Shiow-fang, the sister of Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen. This decision has sparked criticism from city councilors who are questioning the adherence to conflict-of-interest regulations.

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won't be, fair and open.

The festival, which ran for a month and concluded on August 14, saw CTV win the bid through a "most favorable bid" process. Councilors, however, argue that the close familial relationship between the mayor and the media company's chairwoman raises serious concerns about impartiality. They have called for the full evaluation and award documents to be made public.

Mayor Lu Shiow-yen, when asked about the conflict-of-interest allegations, stated that the bidding process was "fair and open." She emphasized that all bids over the past eight years have been conducted transparently and that any entity proposing the best plan for Taichung had an equal opportunity. She asserted that all processes can be investigated according to the law.

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why is CTV's win problematic when Sanlih also wins many bids? Everyone is evaluated; let's be fair.

However, city councilors remain skeptical. Councilor Li Chung pointed out that other media companies, like Sanlih, have also won numerous bids without similar scrutiny, questioning why CTV's win is being singled out. Councilor Huang Shou-da criticized the city government's spending on events and marketing, especially in light of recent procurement leaks and this new controversy. He urged a comprehensive review of all contracts involving the mayor's relatives, demanding they be held to the highest standards.

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The city government spends lavishly every year, holding fireworks-like events and investing huge marketing budgets. Now, procurement leaks have occurred one after another, and the NT$14 million Pot and Grill Festival bid was awarded to CTV, managed by the mayor's own sister. The Lu administration should explain whether the bidding and award processes were public, whether relevant personnel implemented avoidance, and comprehensively review related bids over the past eight years, especially since the mayor's relatives should hold themselves to the highest standards.

Councilor Chen Yu-jung added that the extensive use of the mayor's image in the festival's promotion further blurred the lines between public service and personal branding. She stressed that even if the bidding process was legally compliant, it does not alleviate public concerns. Chen called for Mayor Lu to proactively explain the evaluation process, conflict-of-interest mechanisms, and assurances against any conflicts, stating that while legal compliance is the minimum standard, political ethics and public perception are equally important.

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The Pot and Grill Festival's promotion heavily used the mayor's personal image, turning the promotion of Taichung's catering industry into personal image packaging. Now that it's revealed that CTV, managed by her own sister, won the bid, it further raises questions about conflict of interest and public perception. Even if the city government believes the process was legal, it cannot avoid public doubt simply by stating 'public bidding.' Lu Shiow-yen should proactively explain the evaluation process, conflict of interest mechanisms, and how it ensures no conflicts of interest. After all, public funds are taxpayers' money; legal procedures are just the minimum standard. Political ethics and public perception are equally important. If Mayor Lu has a clear conscience, she should bring all information to light.