By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Outraged by the apparent desecration of the world-famous Chocolate Hills in Bohol, House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo on Friday (15 March 2024) exposed that there are two more resorts within the protected area.
Tulfo, a former hard-hitting journalist who’s now a representative of ACT-CIS party-list, sounded the alarm about the resort construction within the protected natural monument in his latest Facebook post.
“BUKOD SA CAPTAIN’S PEAK RESORT MAY 2 RESORT PA SA CHOCOLATE HILLS…SAGBAYAN PEAK AT LA BATIANG RESORT. GRABEH, PINAGHATI-HATIAN NA NILA ANG CHOCOLATE HILLS,” Rep. Tulfo wrote on his Facebook account.
On Friday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) also asked the Municipality of Sagbayan why it had allowed the construction of Captain’s Peak Resort which has no environmental clearance certificate (ECC).
The Municipality of Sagbayan claimed that it did not receive a copy of the temporary closure order issued by the DENR that led to the issuance of a business permit in January.
“The issue is does it have an ECC or not. It’s not whether hindi naman kami nabigyan ng kopya. Alam naman po siguro natin at the local level kung ano ang kailangan masubmit bago mag issue ng isang building permit sa protected area,” DENR Secretary Toni Yulo Loyzaga pointed out in a virtual press conference.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Forgetting the biblical adage that “judge not so that you shall not be judged,” House Deputy Majority Leader Joel Villanueva made a scathing statement that senators are superior to congressmen that compelled ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo to stand up for his colleagues at the lower chamber.
Tulfo expressed hope on Wednesday that Villanueva will retract his “insulting” statement considering his father, Bro. Eddie Villanueva is representing the Citizens Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) party-list in the Lower House.
“I was really surprised kay (Sen. Villanueva), yung tatay niya si Bro. Eddie Villanueva is with us sa party-list coalition kaya medyo nagulat lahat ng members ng party-list and nag usap-usap kami last week bakit daw nasabi ni Joel Villanueva yun e tatay niya nasa party-list din,” Tulfo quipped.
Last January 24, the younger Villanueva said in his privilege speech the millions of votes garnered by senators cannot be compared to district congressmen who receive only a few thousand votes, and even to party-list representatives, even if they were voted for nationally.
“Siguro nadala lang siya ng emotion niya pero hopefully i-retract naman niya sana yun kasi parang nakaka-insulto as being party-list representatives, we were not just put in the office by anybody, by some government official. We were also voted,” Tulfo noted.
He added that unlike senators, where only 12 will be elected, dozens of party-list groups win in an election.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Playing like “Santa Claus” House Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS party-list Representative Erwin Tulfo took a “habal-habal” (motorcycle-for-rent) ride to reach the far-flung IP (indigenous people) Barangay Biniritan in Bataan to personally deliver much needed cash assistance this Christmas season.
A short video clip posted on Facebook shows Tulfo riding on the back of a motorcycle on his way to the IP community, with the caption: “First habal-habal ride. First backride going to IP territory.”
“Pakiusap lamang po namin na sana gastahin ng tama ang P5,000 cash assistance na ibinigay po sa inyo kanina ng DSWD dahil PERA PO NG TAUMBAYAN YAN NA KINALTAS SA KANILANG MGA SAHOD BILANG BUWIS,” Tulfo quipped in a Facebook post.
It was learned that the aid distribution was made possible in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) which he once headed.
Tulfo assured the IPs that they have not been forgotten or neglected by the government.
However, the ACT-CIS party-list lawmaker underscored the importance of birth registration for their inclusion in the government’s social protection programs.
To recall, when Tulfo was DSWD chief, the social welfare department launched a special project to include IPs in the national registry of birth last year.
The document will help the IPs access government programs and services.
“Salamat po sa DSWD R3, sa PNP Morong at sa mga barangay officials ng Bgy. Biniritan. God bless you all po,” Tulfo said.
He also promised to return to Bataan with additional assistance to address the needs of the IPs.
Tulfo neither confirmed nor denied rumors that he will run for vice president in tandem with Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez who is expected to be the PBBM administration standard bearer in 2028.
(IA/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
CONCERNED OF PUBLIC SAFETY following the recent 7.2 temblor in Mindanao, House Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo and four other lawmakers jointly filed a resolution seeking a congressional investigation into the standards used for the construction of public structures.
The filing of House Resolution 1476 on Tuesday, November 21, was made after Tulfo visited areas in Mindanao that were struck by a magnitude 6.8 earthquake on November 17 as directed by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
“According to police officers and rescue workers in the affected provinces, the injuries and casualties following the earthquake were due to falling debris and structures, and collapsed concrete and steel works, among other causes,” HR 1476 read.
Other authors of the resolution were ACT-CIS party-list Representatives Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, and Quezon City Rep. Ralph Tulfo.
“Upon inspection of infrastructure facilities after the quake, sustainable damages were also found in several roads, bridges, ports, and other public works, including a partially submerged fish port in the Municipality of Glan, Sarangani,” the resolution further said.
Cong. Erwin Tulfo and his co-authors pointed out the urgent need to ensure that the repair, replacement, or development of damaged public infrastructure and works must be completed timely but not at the risk of substandard quality.
They noted that the damage and its corresponding fatal repercussions to the public “give rise to questions on the standard of public infrastructure in the country and the regulation of the same by relevant government agencies.”
(ai/mnm)
CONCERNS have been raised by House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo regarding the operations of Maya Digital Savings Bank, a prominent digital savings bank in the Philippines, which also offers mobile wallet services.
This developed as Tulfo along with his colleauges from the ACT- CIS Partylist Reps. Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo, and two other lawmakers Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo, filed House Resolution No. 1464 urging the Congress to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation into digital banking platforms with linkages to gambling applications.
In his privilege speech on Monday, Tulfo said it has come to his attention that Maya’s platform carries links to various gambling apps that openly allows subscribers to participate in gambling activities.
These gambling apps encompass games such as baccarat, poker, bingo, fruit games, and similar forms of gaming where subscribers can place bets through Maya’s mobile wallet services.
Rep. Tulfo firmly believes that these gambling links within Maya’s savings bank platform warrant a thorough probe by the House of Representatives.
“This question strikes at the core of our responsibility as lawmakers to protect the interests of the millions of subscribers who rely on Maya Digital Savings Bank for their financial transactions and digital wallet needs,” Tulfo said.
The primary objective is to protect the interests of Maya’s millions of subscribers and assess the legality and ethics of offering such services.
Tulfo questioned whether the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is aware of Maya’s inclusion of gambling app links, stating that the investigation aims to determine if these activities comply with laws and regulations. There’s also growing concern about the presence of gambling apps within a digital savings bank’s platform and its potential impact on financial stability and consumer welfare.
Presently, there are at least six digital banks that are permitted by the BSP to operate in the country — Maya, Uno, Tonik, CIMB, Union Bank and GoTyme Bank.
Out of these six digital banks, only Maya allegedly features links to gambling apps. The inquiry also addresses whether the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) can effectively monitor and regulate these apps within the bounds of the law.
Tulfo is committed to addressing these questions through legislative channels, emphasizing transparency, legality, and consumer protection in the evolving landscape of digital banking and financial services in the Philippines.
Asked for comment, Maya, powered by Maya Philippines for digital payment solutions and Maya Bank for digital banking services, emphasized that neither company is engaged in any gambling operations.
“Maya Philippines, licensed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as an electronic money issuer (EMI), facilitates digital payments for numerous merchants, including a few entities accredited by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). Our services are focused on providing secure payments from all sources like credit cards and wallet cash-in facilities for eligible customers,” it said in a statement.
“We maintain strict compliance with the guidelines set by the BSP, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and PAGCOR to ensure user safety and security, promoting the responsible use of financial service technologies,” Maya added.
By Junex Doronio
APPARENTLY WITNESSING THE DIFFICULTIES encountered by senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in voting on the recently-concluded Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), House Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo has called for separate voting precincts for them.
The number one “senatoriable” for 2025 made the appeal on Tuesday in a post on Facebook.
“Baka naman sa susunod na eleksyon, mga PWD at seniors sa ibang classrooms na lang bumoto -kawawa kasi sila,” Tulfo said.
Tulfo has consistently topped the surveys for probable winning senatorial bets in 2025.
The former secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) garnered 50% support from a total of 1,200 respondents polled between July 17 and 31 by Oculum Research and Analytics.
He topped a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey in April, Tangere in June, and OCTA Research in July.
Tulfo is also touted as the potential running mate of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez if the latter decides to run for president in 2028.
(ai/mnm)
NANANATILING malakas at nangunguna pa rin si Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo sa survey sa pagka-senador sa darating na nahalalan sa Mayo 2025.
Sa pinakahuling survey ng Octa Research na isinagawa nitong Setyembre 30-Oktubre 4 sa 1,200 respondents lumabas na anim sa 10 o 60 porsyentong Pinoy ang boboto kay Tulfo bilang Senador.
Malayong nasa pangalawa pwesto lamang si incumbent Sen. Bong Go na may 49 porsyento, habang ang magbabalik Senador naman na si Tito Sotto ay nasa ikatlong pwesto na may 42 porsyento.
Pasok din sa Magic 12 sina Sens. Imee Marcos at Ronald dela Rosa na kapwa may 39%; Sen Pia Cayetano 36%; dating Manila Mayor Isko Moreno 35%; Dating Sen. Ping Lacson at Sen. Bong Revilla, kapwa 32%; Sen. Francis Tolentino, 28%; at Sen. Lito Lapid at dating Sen. Manny Pacquiao na kapwa 26%.
Si Tulfo na dating kalihim ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at ngayon ay kinatawan ng ACT-CIS partylist, ang siya ring namayagpag at malayong nanguna sa nakaraang survey ng Octa nitong 2nd quarter ng 2023.
Si Tulfo rin ang nanguna sa mga survey na isinagawa ng iba pang survey firms tulad ng Ocolum noong Hulyo 2023.
By Liezelle Soriano
ACT-CIS party-list Representative Erwin Tulfo came up as the number one choice among possible senatorial candidates in the coming 2025 mid-term elections according to a University of the Philippines-based survey outfit.
Conducted by OCTA Research’s Tugon ng Masa National Survey, which was held last September 30 to October 4, 60 percent of the adult Filipino population said they would vote for Tulfo in the coming political exercise.
Meanwhile, incumbent Senator Christopher “Bong” Go occupied the second spot as he garnered 49 percent voting preference.
Former Senate president Vicente Sotto III lies third with 42 percent voting preference; incumbent Senators Imee Marcos and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa both got 39 percent; Senator Pia Cayetano and former Manila mayor Isko Moreno had 36 percent and 35 percent, respectively.
Former senator Ping Lacson and incumbent senator Bong Revilla tied, having 32 percent. On the other hand, Sen. Lito Lapid and former senator Manny Pacquiao got 26 percent.
The survey was conducted among 1,200 respondents aged 18 years old and above.
(ai/mnm)
THE BRIGHT AND THE BRAVE — this is what some Visayan and Mindanaoan political leaders describe the emerging tandem of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo for the much-anticipated presidential race in 2028.
Romualdez hails from Leyte and could be the first Waray to become the country’s fourth Visayan president after Sergio Osmeña Sr. of Cebu, Manuel Acuña Roxas of Capiz and Carlos Polistico Garcia of Bohol.
On the other hand, Erwin Tulfo would also likely become the second vice president from Davao.
This early, presidential cousin Martin Romualdez and hard-hitting journalist-turned-Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) partylist representative Erwin Tulfo are making their presence felt by showing their hands-on decisive leadership in addressing the country’s problems.
Last August 30, in response to complaints against rice hoarding, Romualdez and Tulfo joined the Bureau of Customs (BOC) operatives in another round of surprise inspection of rice warehouses in Bulacan.
An estimated P519 million worth of imported rice and local palay were discovered sitting in four different warehouses in two Bulacan towns.
Prior to this raid, Romualdez also joined the BOC operatives in closing down three warehouses in Bulacan storing P505 million worth of suspected smuggled rice from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand during their operations last Aug. 24.
“Yun lang ang warning natin sa lahat. Kung anong supply niyo ilabas niyo agad, wag niyo hintayin tumaas ang presyo sa world market. Nagbabantay kami at babalik kami dito. Kung kailangang i-raid ng Customs, ipapa-raid natin at kukunin natin at ibibigay natin sa mamamayan sa tamang presyo,” Romualdez said.
The presidential cousin then told BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio that rice smugglers and hoarders must be sent to jail for committing a “heinous crime.”
At the same time, showing his compassion for the poor, Romualdez proposed that the rice confirmed to be either smuggled or hoarded be seized by the government and then sold at very low prices.
$2M Harvard preceptor funding
Meanwhile, the Harvard Crimson daily newspaper of Harvard University said that Romualdez committed $2 million (P113.4 million) to fund the Filipino language instructor’s post.
“Funding for the preceptor position wasn’t guaranteed to last longer than three years — until Romualdez’s pledge,” the report published Thursday, September 14, read.
As of this posting, Romualdez has neither confirmed nor denied the report.
But for Jose Marco C. “Marcky” Antonio II, a co-president of the Harvard Undergraduate Philippine Forum, the focus should be on the existence of a Filipino language course at Harvard in the first place, not the source of its funding.
“I’m just really, really grateful for the fact that the Filipino language is being taught at Harvard. And it’s just really frustrating that this is sort of detracting from the fact that it’s such a major achievement,” he said.
I agree with Marcky.
For me, the Filipinos, both here and abroad, should be thankful to Romualdez if it’s true that he’s the donor.
We should be proud that the first-ever Filipino language course is being taught in the world-renowned Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America. (ai/mnm)
IF FULLY implemented, the national identification system will be an effective deterrent to the rising issue of falsified subscribers identity modules (SIMs) which the online scammers most often use in committing cybercrimes.
Partylist Rep. and prominent media personality Erwin Tulfo offered this view in response to concerns raised by some stakeholders, particularly legislators and law enforcers, regarding the misuse of SIM cards for illegal online activities, including cybercrimes and fraudulent transactions.
Fake identities created through the SIM registration process reportedly pose significant risks to the security and privacy of individuals and organizations.
Such concerns arise from the alarming frequency at which fake identification cards reportedly find their way into the SIM registration process carried out by telecom companies across the country in compliance with Republic Act 11055.
Instances like the successful registration of a SIM card using an image of a smiling monkey have highlighted the vulnerabilities in the current online users’ profiling system, which must contend with its insufficient electronic database that includes the photograph of mobile subscribers.
“The issuance of national ID cards to Filipino citizens and resident aliens, as mandated by law, will give the service providers an easy access to government database for the truthful profile of bona fide holders who apply for SIM registration,” explained Tulfo, who’s also a House deputy majority leader.
Tulfo said that accepting assorted identification cards, including a certification from barangay chiefs, for SIM registration allows ample room for cheaters and identity thief to thread. “A single ID system, encompassing all Filipinos, is the key to ensuring the integrity of the SIM registration,” he stressed.
Republic Act 11055 which calls for the mandatory implementation of the national ID system, aims to provide a secure and reliable means of identifying individuals across various sectors, including telecommunications. It is seen as a crucial step in addressing identity-related issues and enhancing national security.
“We support the call of my fellow legislators for telcos to take stringent measures in registering SIMs and help the law enforcers in running after online fraudsters, but I also appeal for the speedy implementation of RA 11055, because, in my view, the use of national IDs instills confidence in our pursuit of foolproof SIM registration,” Tulfo said.
“In conclusion, the call to fast-track the implementation of the national ID system, as advocated by Globe, does not only offer a far-reaching impact on various aspects of daily life, from simplifying bureaucratic procedures to enhancing national security efforts, but also serves as a valuable tool in the fight against cybercrimes by curbing the spread of fake SIM identities,” He added. (END)
DESPITE THE PERCEPTION that the Tulfos are an emerging political dynasty, journalist Erwin Tulfo has topped the survey for probable senatorial bets in 2025.
Erwin’s brother Raffy is a senator, his sister-in-law Jocelyn (wife of Raffy) is an ACT-CIS representative, and his nephew Ralph is a congressman representing Quezon City’s 2nd District.
“Maybe a dynasty, if you’re not doing anything or just sitting there and doing nothing, staring at the ceiling. But if you do something and perform, people notice that. Let them decide. Now if it’s a dynasty and they don’t like you there anymore, I think they will not vote for you,” said Erwin who was President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s social welfare secretary before and now sits at the House of Representatives as a substitute nominee of ACT-CIS, which topped the party-list race in the 2022 elections.
I must admit that I used to abhor political dynasties.
But later, I realized that just like cholesterol there are good and there are bad political dynasties.
Cong Erwin put it succinctly: “If we’re not working, then don’t vote for that politician, don’t vote for whoever he is if he is not performing. But if he’s performing, then why not, right? We’ll just show them, there’s a difference.”
Erwin’s nomination was bypassed by the Commission on Appointments due to citizenship issues. However, he admitted to American citizenship from 1986 and the Wikipedia said that he served in the United States Army from 1988 to 1992.
He claimed that he had renounced his American citizenship in early 2022.
In 2005, Erwin graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of the East (UE) — a stone’s throw away from my alma mater Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU).
He hosted his public service brand Mission X, which eventually evolved into the Erwin Tulfo Action Center.
Based on the results of the national survey of Oculum Research and Analytics Philippines conducted from July 17 to 31, 2023 Erwin Tulfo obtained the highest voter preference among potential candidates in the 2025 midterm senatorial elections.
He was the choice of 50% of respondents all over the country.
Here’s the list of voters preferences for senator in 2025, according to the Oculum national survey:
- Erwin Tulfo
- Vicente “Tito” Sotto III
- Rodrigo Duterte
- Pia Cayetano
- Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa
- Panfilo “Ping” Lacson
- Vico Sotto
- Willie Revillame
- Willie Ong
- Lito Lapid
- Manny Villar
- Manny Pacquiao
- Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.
- Isko Moreno Domagoso
- Maria Imelda “Imee” Marcos
- Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go
- Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II
- Mar Roxas II
- Kiko Pangilinan
- Jejomar “Jojo” Binay
- Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo
- Herbert Bautista
- Richard “Dick” Gordon
- Herminio “Harry” Roque
Will Erwin join his brother Raffy in the Senate in 2025?
We can never tell.
But as someone once said: “We can’t fight destiny.”
(ai/mnm)