Robredo thanks Erwin Tulfo for Angat Buhay, Bicol aid

Former Vice President Leni Robredo expressed her gratitude to senatorial candidate Erwin Tulfo for his support to the Bicol Region and the Angat Buhay Foundation during his tenure as secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

In a statement issued Sunday, Robredo said she met Tulfo during his visit to Naga City on Saturday, where he also stopped by the Naga People’s Mall.

Robredo highlighted Tulfo’s and the ACT-CIS party-list’s swift response following Typhoon Kristine in 2024, noting their donation of 2,000 sacks of rice and P1 million in cash assistance to the affected communities.

“Noong Secretary pa siya ng DSWD, napakalaking tulong niya sa Angat Buhay. In fact, nabisita ko siya sa opisina niya sa DSWD. Maganda yung synergy ng Angat Buhay sa DSWD kasi kami, ‘di ba, anti-poverty rin?” Robredo said.

(When he was still DSWD Secretary, he was a huge help to Angat Buhay. I even visited him at the DSWD office. The synergy between Angat Buhay and DSWD was strong because both of us share an anti-poverty mission.)

She added, “Malaki ang naitulong ng leadership niya—hindi kami nahirapan sa pagkuha ng accreditation. Kapag pumupunta kami sa lugar at may sakuna, laging merong coordination with DSWD kaya grateful naman ako.”

(His leadership helped a lot—we didn’t have difficulties securing accreditation. Whenever we went to disaster-hit areas, there was always coordination with the DSWD, and for that, I am grateful.)

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. appointed Tulfo as DSWD secretary in 2022. He was succeeded by then-Valenzuela City Representative Rex Gatchalian in 2023. Tulfo now serves as a representative of the ACT-CIS party-list in the House of Representatives.

Reacting to Robredo’s remarks, Tulfo said, “We really appreciate that na-appreciate ni VP Leni ang ginawa natin noon. Since then, I believe that this is the best practice: Huwag ka tumingin sa kulay,” Tulfo said.

(We appreciate that VP Leni recognizes what we did. Since then, I’ve believed that the best practice is this: look beyond political colors.)

“Kasi kapag tumingin ka sa kulay, walang mangyayari, may maiiwan. Kailangan, tingnan mo ang lahat. At the end of the day, we are all Filipinos, so we need to set aside political colors,” he added.

(Because if we focus on political divisions, nothing will happen; some will be left behind. We must see everyone equally. At the end of the day, we are all Filipinos.) — DVM, GMA Integrated News

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