Tulfo wants to decriminalize libel, eyes Senate labor panel chairmanship

Raffy Tulfo. SCREENGRAB FROM TULFO’S INSTAGRAM

MANILA, Philippines — Senator-elect and broadcaster Raffy Tulfo said Wednesday that he wants to decriminalize libel and to have the chairmanship of the Senate committee on labor, among others.

During the proclamation of winning senatorial candidates in the May 9 polls at the Philippine International Convention Center, Tulfo reiterated that decriminalizing libel would be one of his priority bills.

“Ngayon pa lang sinasabi ko sa inyo, isa sa mga priority bills ko ay ‘yung ipa-decriminalize ‘yung libel,” he told reporters.

(I am already telling you now that one of my priority bills will be to decriminalize libel.)

Earlier on Wednesday, Tulfo’s brother, Ramon, was arrested in Manila for cyber libel.

Tulfo, however, said he would accept whatever the verdict of the court would be about the case of his elder sibling.

Tulfo then questioned why the Senate has not passed the Magna Carta for Media Workers. He said he would also push for its immediate passage.

“Now, hindi ko alam kung bakit hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin napipirmahan sa Senado. Although ‘yan po’y pumasa na sa first, second, and third reading sa Kongreso at ‘yan po ay nasa Senado na,” he lamented.

(Now, I do not know why until now, it has not been signed in the Senate. Although that has been passed in the first, second, and third reading in Congress and is already in the Senate.)

“So, pagdating ko po sa Senado, akin pong bubusisiin, tatanungin. Ako po ay gagawa ng mga inquiry kung bakit hindi pa napipirmahan ‘yan at kung may problema man, ano ‘yung problemang ‘yun nang sa gayon pwede nating ma-plantsa upang ‘yan ay maipasa na,” he added.

(So, when I reach the Senate, I will look into it and question it. I will initiate an inquiry about why the measure has not been passed and if there are problems, what are those so we could sort it out for it to be passed.)

Committee chairmanship

Tulfo was likewise asked about his preferred committees in the Senate.

He responded: “As much as possible kung pwede lang, kung mararapatin, kung mapagbibigyan, ‘yung labor, OFW (overseas Filipino workers), civil service.”

(As much as possible, if allowed and given a chance, labor, OFW, and civil service.)

“Bukod du’n sa tatlo, ako’y gusto kong mag-apply para maging member ng iba’t ibang committee,” he added.

(Aside from those three, I will apply to be a member of other committees.)

Tulfo ranked third in the 2022 senatorial race, garnering 23.3 million votes.

KGA