Erwin Tulfo to inhibit from Senate flood control probe

MANILA, Philippines – Senate blue ribbon committee chairperson Erwin Tulfo on Monday said he plans to inhibit from the panel’s flood control probe after being named as one of the legislators who received money from former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.

Tulfo bared his plans to the media after the alleged 18 bagmen claimed they had delivered eight luggages, each containing between P20 million and P40 million, to him.

READ: Baligod: ‘Ex-bagmen’ did not deliver to Legarda 

“Definitely, I will inhibit…During the hearing proper, I will announce, I will inhibit, I will give the floor to the vice chair or we will form a subcommittee, so he will discuss on the floor that let Sen. Kiko handle it, this flood control,” he said.

Tulfo’s chairmanship was also questioned by the 18 bagmen’s legal counsel, Levito Baligod.

At a press conference at the office of Sen. Robin Padilla, Baligod said Tulfo could not fairly preside the hearing since he was accused of involvement in the scandal.

“In truth we are worried, but we are not scared, that Mr. Erwin Tulfo, who claims to be the new chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee, is presiding over this investigation. He is being accused, but he will also investigate, and eventually he will also decide,” Baligod said.

READ: Sotto, Tulfo eye libel raps vs Baligod, ex-Marines 

Tulfo previously denied the allegations made against him, calling them “blatant lies.”

The accusations against Tulfo and other legislators surfaced during a supposed blue ribbon committee hearing presided over by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on June 4.

However, the proceedings were not entered into the Senate records because no stenographer or committee secretariat was present.

On Monday, Tulfo convened a consultative meeting on the flood-control probe and invited the alleged bagmen and their lawyer, Levito Baligod, to attend. However, they did not appear. /dp