Broadcaster Ben Tulfo has slammed members of the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) for deferring the confirmation of his brother, Erwin, as Secretary of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), calling them hypocrites.
ALSO READ: ‘Kano pala?!’: CA defers Tulfo’s confirmation over citizenship, libel conviction issues
In his November 24 column for Pilipino Star Ngayon, Ben took issue with the reservations expressed by CA members over Erwin’s acquisition of American citizenship.
During the CA’s hearing on November 22, Erwin sought a closed door session with lawmakers to discuss the issue of his American citizenship. Documents obtained by the commission showed that Erwin was a member of the US military from 1988 to 1992, and he was also in “active military service stationed in Europe” from 1992 to 1996.
For Ben, Erwin’s American citizenship should no longer be an issue since he renounced it prior to being appointed to head DSWD by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Maraming nagsasabi riyan, maraming nagkakandarapa at naghihirap, lumalaban ng patayan para lang makakuha ng citizenship. Pagkatapos si Tulfo ay basta lang ibabasura ang kanyang american citizenship? Pakialam n’yo?!” he fumed.
“Totoong lumaban si Sec. Erwin bilang isang US Army noon. Kasama siya sa tinawag noon sa First Gulf War Operation Freedom sa Kuwait. Eh ano ngayon? Lumaban siya para sa Amerika pero ang kanyang puso’t isipan ay PILIPINO,” Ben added.
Erwin’s brother said their family isn’t perfect so people will find many skeletons in their closet. Nevertheless, he said Erwin is sincere in wanting to serve the country.
“Kaya sa mga hipokrito na akala mo walang tinatagong baho, P.I. kayo. Kung ayaw n’yo, eh ‘di wag! Kung sa pananaw ninyo ay may mga kahinaan at kakulangan kami, iisa pa rin ang dugong dumadaloy sa ugat naming mag-uutol — tulong, tapang, tagapagtanggol,” Ben said.
Aside from Erwin’s American citizenship, CA members also raised during the hearing his libel conviction as a broadcaster, and his having 10 children by four different women.
Description: Broadcaster Ben Tulfo has slammed members of the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) for deferring the confirmation of his brother, Erwin, as Secretary of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), calling them hypocrites.
