Erwin Tulfo files raps vs Defensor, others over flood control claims

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Erwin Tulfo on Wednesday filed grave oral defamation complaints against former Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor, two of the alleged “18 ex-bodyguards” of former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and their counsel, Atty. Levito Baligod, and two others for implicating him in the flood control scandal.

Tulfo personally arrived at the Mandaluyong Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday morning to lodge the grave oral defamation complaints in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 against Defensor, Baligod, “ex-bodyguards” Jeron Valderama and Bernard Gumban, as well as incumbent Quezon City Councilor Ranulfo Ludovica and Atty. Virgilio Garcia. 

READ: Tulfo rejects ’18 Marines’ label, calls alleged bagmen ‘kargadors‘  

The senator said that the complaints stemmed from a supposed “blue ribbon sub-committee hearing on the flood control scandal” that turned into a press conference at the Doublegem EDSA Garden Events Place in Mandaluyong City last June 16, where Valderama alleged that Tulfo received two medium-sized “maletas,” or suitcases, filled with cash around P40 million to P50 million from flood control anomalies. 

The supposed delivery of the suitcases took place when Tulfo allegedly met Co at Mario’s Restaurant in Tomas Morato, Quezon City, when the senator was still a congressman.

Meanwhile, Garcia reiterated during the press conference the allegations that Tulfo received suitcases of cash at his residence in Greenhills. 

“Be that as it may, the public press conference of June 16, 2026 held in Mandaluyong City further amplified the damage previously caused by respondents’ constant media engagements in various fora. I cannot simply remain passive and act unaffected by these falsehoods,” Tulfo said in his complaint affidavit. 

“I also cannot disregard losing the trust given to me by the millions of people who voted for me in this office if I will not do something to defend my honor and reputation as well as of those my family and loved ones,” he added. 

READ: Erwin Tulfo files defamation rap vs. Zaldy Co’s ‘ex-bodyguards’   

The INQUIRER reached out to Baligod regarding the matter but has yet to respond to the query. 

On June 8, Tulfo also filed a “grave oral defamation” complaint against Gumban and two more of Co’s alleged “18 ex-bodyguards” Rosebert Waupan and Benny Bulontate. 

This was in connection with the recent blue ribbon committee hearing, where the “18 bodyguards” alleged that Tulfo received suitcases containing large amounts of money on two separate occasions. 

The first supposed delivery to Tulfo’s residence in Greenhills involved two suitcases of money totaling approximately P20 million to P50 million, while the second allegedly involved six suitcases of varying sizes containing additional cash. /das