Erwin Tulfo apologizes for 'aggressive remarks,' Senate tension that stalled legislation

Senator Erwin Tulfo on Sunday apologized for his 'aggressive remarks' and the tension in the Senate that he said led to the stalling of some legislation.

“In recognition of the high institution to which I belong, 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,” Tulfo said in a statement.

“This is not how an official, much less a senator, should behave,” he added.

Tulfo said the tension in the Senate “paralyzed” their mandate as legislators and affected Filipinos.

“I also ask forgiveness from our countrymen. Because of recent clashes, the session ended without advancing crucial legislation,” Tulfo said.

On Friday, Tulfo said he will order the arrest of senators who will hold a hearing of the Senate blue ribbon committee other than the one he would preside over as chairman.

He said he is the legitimate chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee and has the sole authority to call for a legislative inquiry under the panel.

Tulfo made the statement after the bloc led by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano held a blue ribbon committee hearing on Thursday, which saw the 18 ex-Marines, who allegedly worked for former Ako Bicol representative Zaldy Co, and who said they delivered suitcases of cash to politicians.

Tulfo also urged his fellow senators to end the division and get back to work.

“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,” Tulfo said in the Sunday statement.

“In these trying times for our nation, let's set aside personal interests. Let's win this for the Filipino people. Let's unite to restore the Senate's integrity and strength,” he added.

Tulfo belongs to the Senate bloc led by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who was elected Senate President Pro Tempore and made acting Senate president by 12 senators on June 3 after the Cayetano-led bloc skipped sessions on Monday and Tuesday.

To recall, Cayetano said the Senate's independence was being challenged. He also urged members of the minority bloc to join the majority in calling for the Senate to “go quiet” following the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada for plunder charges.

Estrada surrendered and was arrested within the Senate premises after the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division issued a warrant of arrest against him for plunder charges in connection with his alleged involvement in the flood control scandal.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will not tolerate the ongoing tensions at the Senate should it drag on until his 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) before Congress next month, Malacañang said Thursday.

Session in Congress is set to resume on July 27, coinciding with Marcos' fifth SONA. —KG, GMA News