Broadcaster Erwin Tulfo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Pro-administration radio personality Erwin Tulfo apologized for his “excessive” ranting against Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista after the latter allegedly refused to grant him an interview for his radio show.
In his program over state-run Radyo Pilipinas on Friday, Tulfo said that while he acknowledged that his ranting against the former Army general went too far, he stressed that he was just doing his job as a journalist to criticize government officials.
“I apologize doon sa excessive na ranting, ‘yung five minutes akong nagwawala. It’s uncalled for,” Tulfo said.
“Pero ‘yung punahin si Sec. Bautista, I think I have a right bilang journalist at hindi ko babawiin ‘yun. Dahil kaming magkakapatid wala sa bokabularyo namin ang bumabawi sa commentary and it is not our option,” he added.
In one of the recent episodes of his radio program “Tutok Tulfo,” a furious Tulfo said: “Sino ba ‘tong buang na ito? Pasensya na, maski tao ka ni Pangulong Duterte, lelecture-an na kita. Listen up and listen good.” This is after Bautista allegedly refused to grant Tulfo an interview.
“Tinatawagan ka namin para marining ng kababayang mahihirap ang stand ng mga mahihirap. Hindi yung sasabihan niyo kami na sumulat muna kayo five days before. Sino ka bang punyeta ka na kailangan ko pang sumulat sayo? Sagutin mo yung telepono mo dahil Secretary ka ng DSWD! Gustong marinig ng mga kababayan natin anong magagawa mo para sa kanila,” he went on.
Tulfo, known for his tough-talking persona, even threatened to slap the retired army general, which did not sit well with active and retired soldiers.
READ: Active, retired soldiers defend DSWD’s Bautista after Tulfo outburst
READ: PIA chief calls Tulfo a ‘superstar wannabe’ after outburst at DSWD’s Bautista
Tulfo explained that Bautista should expect criticisms even he is an appointee of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Hindi naman pwede na porke pula ka at hindi ka dilawan ay hindi ka na pwedeng punahin. Masama naman tignan ‘yun, I’m still a journalist. Kung mali ka, mali ka,” he said.
The broadcaster further claimed that he just lost his temper after Bautista failed to answer his call. He also claimed that the Social Welfare chief got offended by his berating and even called his fellow government and military officials to get moral support.
“Wala naman tayong itatanong na masama besides magkasama kami sa administrasyon. E hindi naman sumagot kaya medyo nagalit tayo,” Tulfo said.
“Mukhang balat-sibuyas yata si Sec. Bautista at hindi ma-take ‘yan at tinawagan pati mga kaibigan niya sa PMA (Philippine Military Academy). ‘Yung mga sinabi ko, ‘yung excessive, ‘yung sobra-sobra humihingi ako ng kapatawaran doon. Pero yung komentaryo ko na napuna ko siya hindi ako hihingi ng tawad,” he added.
Bautista retired as Army chief in October and was a seasoned military commander fighting terrorist groups. He was appointed as secreatry of the Department of Social Welfare and Development by Duterte shortly after his retirement from the military.
READ: Duterte appoints Bautista to DSWD, Locsin to DFA as secretaries
He was also the first commander of Presidential Security Group under Duterte.
Meanwhile, Tulfo, a known supporter of the President, actively campaigned for Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) party-list group during the midterm elections. ACT-CIS topped the recently-concluded polls and garnered three congressional seats.
Tulfo was reportedly being eyed as Duterte’s next Press Secretary. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)
READ: Erwin Tulfo ‘qualified’ to be Duterte’s ‘next press secretary’ – Andanar