Raffy Tulfo backs Chiz as Senate president for 20th Congress

Senator Raffy Tulfo said Tuesday that he already expressed commitment to support Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero to keep his post as Senate president in the 20th Congress. 

At a press conference, the elder Tulfo said that his younger brother, first-time senator Erwin Tulfo, is also expected to back Escudero’s senate presidency. 

“Actually Erwin consulted me, sabi niya, ‘Kuya saan ba tayo?’ And then I said, ‘Ako ay kay Chiz, now it’s up to you, hindi kita pwedeng diktahan kung sinong gusto mo.’ Sabi niya, ‘Kung kay Chiz ka, sige.’ And then sinabi ko sa kanya ang dahilan at nakita niya magandang reason ang binigay ko sa kanya, kaya sumangayon siya sa’kin,” Raffy Tulfo said. 

(Actually Erwin consulted me and asked who we will support. I told him that I will support Chiz and it’s up to him if he will also do so, as I cannot dictate to him. I told him the reason why I will back Chiz, and when he realized that I have good reasons, he agreed with me.) 

According to Raffy Tulfo, he and Escudero have the same work ethics, and he sees no problem with the leadership of the latter. He also said that he did not ask Escudero for anything in return when he expressed his support for him.

Raffy Tulfo also said he sees no reason to change his position on the matter come July 28, when the 20th Congress begins its first regular session.

“Although hindi ko pa nakakatrabaho ‘yung kabila, si Senator Sotto. I don't know him, I mean as far as work ethics niya or leadership niya because hindi ko naranasan. Unlike kay Chiz na naranasan ko and wala akong nakitang problema. Sabi nga nila, if it ain’t broke, don't fix it,” he added. 

(Although I have not yet worked with Senator Sotto, I don't know him, I mean, as far as his work ethics or his leadership is concerned, because I haven't experienced it, unlike with Chiz, whom I have worked with and see no problems with. As they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.) 

Previously, Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri earlier said that the “veterans bloc,” composed of himself, Senators Loren Legarda, and Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, said that they will push for Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III to return as the head of the upper chamber in the 20th Congress.

Meanwhile, Senator JV Ejercito said that as many as 16 senators have already signed a resolution expressing support for Escudero to remain as their leader. —VAL, GMA Integrated News