MANILA — Sen. Erwin Tulfo on Friday said he is preparing to file charges against individuals identifying themselves as former Philippine Marines who accused him and several lawmakers of receiving suitcases allegedly filled with cash, as he challenged the accusers to bring their claims before the proper authorities and present evidence.
Tulfo dismissed the allegations as fabricated and politically motivated, but stressed that he would not allow the accusations to go unanswered.
“Nakakatuwa po, pinapanood ko po sila kahapon. Ako po ay natutuwa, hindi po ako naiinis. Kapag may mga kinukwento, lalo mga marites, mga gawa-gawang istorya, matatawa ka na lang,” he said during a television interview.
Despite downplaying the accusations, the senator said legal action is already being prepared against those who linked him to the alleged cash deliveries.
“Pero siyempre ‘di naman tayo papayag na ganun-ganun na lamang. Tayo ay naghahanda na ngayon para sampahan ng kaso yung nag-akusa sa atin,” he added.
The controversy arose from testimony given by individuals who identified themselves as former Marines during a June 4 proceeding convened by Sen. Pia Cayetano as chairperson of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee under the leadership of her brother, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.
Tulfo, however, questioned the legitimacy of the proceeding, branding it a “sham hearing” and arguing that it did not qualify as an official Senate committee hearing because it was not reflected in the Senate journal, did not involve regular committee personnel, and was not processed through standard Senate procedures.
The senator urged his accusers to formally file complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman or other appropriate agencies instead of airing allegations in public forums.
Under the Senate leadership recognized by the bloc of Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, Tulfo serves as chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee and has scheduled a separate hearing on June 8. He said the individuals who made the allegations have been invited to attend.
Tulfo said witnesses appearing before the committee would undergo proper vetting and that surprise testimonies would not be entertained.
He also suggested that politics may be driving the accusations, noting that senators Loren Legarda and Mark Villar had reportedly been mentioned in earlier allegations but were no longer included in the latest claims.
According to Tulfo, he and other lawmakers are being targeted because of their political influence and strong showing in public opinion surveys.
“Tungkol po sa survey. Ito na po ‘yon. Tinitingnan po nila na tayo ay tatakbo bilang bise o presidente kaming magkapatid kaya katakot-takot po na banat. Isang grupo lang naman po ‘yan, ‘yung grupo lang po nila tumitira,” he said.
The allegations form part of the wider controversy surrounding the Senate’s investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects, an issue that has become intertwined with the ongoing leadership dispute within the chamber./PN
