Erwin Tulfo takes oath as senator before barangay captain in Quiapo
Senator-elect Erwin Tulfo on Friday took his oath of office in Quiapo, Manila.
Tulfo was sworn in by his good friend Barangay Chairperson Johnny Dela Cruz at around 9:00 a.m. in Barangay 307, Zone 30, Quiapo, Manila.
In an interview with reporters, Tulfo said he chose to take his oath before a barangay captain in Quiapo, Manila because he is a devotee of the Black Nazarene.
'Mas pinili ko dito sa barangay, dahil barangay is the first line na nakikita ng tao…ibig sabihin mas malapit ang mga tao sa barangay. So I chose to swear in dito sa aming kaibigan na barangay captain kasi 'yun din 'yung purpose natin, gusto natin na medyo mas mapalapit sa tao, mas mabilis nating maririnig ang kanilang mga reklamo,' Tulfo said.
The incoming senator also said this decision to take oath in a barangay hall is in line with his promise to push for a salary standardization law for barangay officials.
Apart from this, Tulfo reiterated his commitment to review the Rice Tariffication Law, file bills on national land use and PhilHealth benefits reform.
Asked about his preparations for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Tulfo said he wants to see the pieces of evidence first.
'Maraming sinasabi na guilty si VP Sara, gusto ko makita…kailangan makita 'yung ebidensya,' he said.
'Pag judge ka, dapat neutral ka hanggang sa mabasa mo na lahat, makita mo na lahat,' he added.
Tulfo will be joining his brother Senator Raffy Tulfo in the upper chamber in the 20th Congress after landing fourth in the 2025 senatorial race with over 17 million votes.—AOL, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
Solon wants to criminalize fake news, troll farms, bot networks
Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez has filed a bill seeking to criminalize the spread of fake news, and the operation of troll farms and bot networks that aim to circulate false information. Under House Bill 11506, Rufus seeks to have propagators of fake news and disinformation penalized with a fine of P500,000 to P2 million, and imprisonment of six years to 12 years, as he described these as a 'serious threat' to public trust, democratic institutions, and national stability. The bill specifically prohibits knowingly and maliciously publishing or disseminating any fake news or disinformation through any medium; and creating, operating, or financing troll farms, bot networks, or coordinated campaigns specifically aimed at spreading fake news. It also prohibits the dissemination of fake news or disinformation that incites violence, promotes hate speech, discredits democratic institutions, or may cause public panic or disorder; and facilitating or allowing the use of social media platforms or accounts to repeatedly and systemically engage in such acts. 'These falsehoods, often disseminated at scale through social media or synthetic content like deepfakes, have the power to incite confusion, manipulate public perception, and provoke civil disorder,' the lawmaker said. 'By striking a balance between protecting freedom of expression and addressing the dangerous consequences of intentional disinformation, this measure affirms the values of both liberty and responsibility in a modern, democratic society,' he added. While the country has existing laws including the Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act, Rodriguez said these do not adequately address the evolving nature and impact of malicious disinformation campaigns. The solon also cited a Supreme Court ruling that the right to freedom of speech, of expression, and of the press is not absolute, as obscenity, defamation, incitement to violence, false advertising, and speech that poses a clear and present danger to public order or national security are not entitled to constitutional protection. The bill defines fake news as 'false or misleading information presented as fact or news, deliberately and maliciously disseminated to mislead the public, that may sow confusion, incite hatred or violence, or disrupt public order.' It also defines disinformation as 'false information intentionally spread to deceive, manipulate, or influence public perception, behavior, or policy.' Meanwhile, malicious intent is described as the 'deliberate or reckless disregard for truth, with the purpose of causing harm, panic, hatred, violence, or undermining trust in institutions.' —RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
Russia, US refused to take vlogger Zdorovetskiy —DILG Sec. Remulla
Detained Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy will not be deported from the Philippines as Russia and the United States refused to accept him, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Sunday. 'Ang problema kasi namin, ang Russia, hindi siya tinatanggap, ang US naman, green card holder siya, hindi rin siya tinatanggap, so hindi namin alam kung saan siya papauwiin eh,' Remulla said in a statement. (Our problem is that Russia is not accepting him, neither does the US where he is a green card holder. So we don't know where to send him.) Zdorovetskiy was nabbed by Philippine authorities in April for engaging in a series of law-breaking stunts, including videoing himself harassing Filipinos. He will be facing trial next week for three counts of unjust vexation, with a possible imprisonment of three months to one year. 'We will service his sentence, sinigurado ko po 'yun (I assure you that he will serve his sentence),' Remulla said. Zdorovetskiy has asked Remulla to drop the charges against him, citing mental health concerns. However, Remulla said Zdorovetskiy's actions should never go unpunished. —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 days ago
- GMA Network
PH, US reaffirm alliance in 'pursuit of peace' of Indo-Pacific region
The Philippines and the United States reaffirmed their alliance and commitment to stability in the Indo-Pacific region as the countries' defense chiefs met at the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. During the meeting, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his US counterpart, Pete Hegseth, discussed deepening defense cooperation in support of regional peace, resilience, and a rules-based international order. 'The Philippines seeks peace, but it must be a sustainable peace—one grounded in our own resilience and reinforced through alliances with like-minded partners. We look forward to this meeting and to further strengthening our already robust defense relationship with the United States,' Teodoro said in a statement released on Saturday. Secretary Hegseth, meanwhile, committed to back the Philippines in its effort to push for stability in the region. "I want to applaud the Philippines for their courage and clarity in the South China Sea, and their clear-eyed recognition of the challenges we face. We stand shoulder to shoulder in our pursuit of peace and stability in the region,' Hegseth said. 'Our militaries exercised together in Balikatan in April—the largest in a long time with 14,000 troops. This speaks to the longstanding and ironclad relationship between our nations under the Mutual Defense Treaty,' Hegseth also said. Both secretaries also emphasized the importance of continuing defense cooperation in the face of evolving regional security dynamics. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
