Erwin Tulfo apologizes to Cayetano bloc for arrest threat
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Erwin Tulfo apologized on Sunday to the senators of the Cayetano bloc after he threatened to arrest them if they held another unauthorized hearing.
In an interview on Friday, Tulfo, asserting his chairmanship to the Senate blue ribbon committee, said he would order the arrest of his colleagues and drag Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano by the collar if another “fake” hearing was held.
“I sincerely apologize to my colleagues for my aggressive remarks regarding the arrest, manhandling, and dragging of Senator Cayetano and other individuals out of the session or plenary hall,” the senator said in a statement.
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He added: “This is not how an official, much less a senator, should behave.”
Tulfo explained that his “inappropriate” words were driven by his desire to continue working without delay.
The senator also apologized to Filipinos for the events of the Senate that caused no legislation to be passed before the session adjourned.
“Because of recent clashes, the session ended without advancing crucial legislation. Because of the seemingly endless arguments on politics, our mandate was paralyzed,” Tulfo acknowledged.
Subsequently, Tulfo called on his colleagues to unify once again and continue to work, highlighting their relationships beyond work.
“Therefore, I call upon my fellow senators: let us end this division. Because outside of the Senate, some of us are friends, or even close peers and companions. SO, LET US JUST GET BACK TO WORK,” he pressed.
“Let’s craft laws, investigate irregularities without fear, and put every Filipino’s welfare first. Unity doesn’t mean backing down from the fight — it means joining forces to protect our nation,” the senator continued.
Only a day after Tulfo was elected the blue ribbon committee head, Sen. Pia Cayetano pushed through with a hearing of her own as scheduled when she was still the chairperson of the said panel.
The hearing came after three days of absence from the Cayetano bloc, led by Alan Cayetano, who insists that he remains Senate president due to a supposed lack of a quorum during his ousting. /das /atm
