Sen. Erwin Tulfo Speaks on Viral ‘Bend the Law’ Remarks during Senate Flood Probe
ERWIN TULFO – The Senator issued a clarification amid his ‘bend the law’ remarks going viral and eliciting reactions on social media.
Countless Filipino people are monitoring the developments with regards to the investigation of the anomalous flood control projects funded by the government. Despite the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure or ICI, the Senate pushed through with its probe on the issue.
The ICI is an independent body for infrastructure probe that Pres. Bongbong Marcos ordered to be formed and it has the power to move for the seizure of assets and the issuance of subpoena. The commission can also investigation the individuals who are accused of anti-graft and corruption laws violation.
While the House of Representatives left the flood control probe to the ICI, the Senate pushed through with its hearing. It invited the contractors linked to the flood control mess as well as the former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). It also invited Department of Justice Secretary Boying Remulla.
During one of the Senate flood probes, Sen. Erwin Tulfo who is the vice chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that leads the flood control investigation seemingly lectured the Justice Secretary. Tulfo told Remulla that sometimes there is allegedly a need to “bend the law to please the people” — to which the DOJ Secretary responded in the affirmative.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo was insisting that the contractors and the government officials who are involved in the anomalous flood control projects should return the money of the people. According to him, the Filipino people is above the law.
“Sometimes you have to bend the law to be able to please the people. Mas mataas po ang taong bayan sa batas,” Tulfo said.
The “bend the law” remarks of Sen. Erwin Tulfo went viral and gathered different reactions from the netizens on social media. Undeniably, it earned the senator criticisms and mockery online.
Based on a post of ABS-CBN News, following the Senate flood probe, Sen. Erwin Tulfo clarified his “bend the law” remarks. He cited “humanitarian reason” and claimed that he did not meant to encourage the breaking of the law. According to him, his statement was triggered by his emotion.
“Siguro it was just born out of anger na I said na, ‘bend the law to please the people’. What I meant was bend the law for humanitarian reasons. Kasi, when you say bend the law, you will enforce the law because of ika nga ‘yung ah flexibility at tsaka for humanitarian reasons. I didn’t say that we have to break the law, violate the law,” Tulfo said.
Amid the viral clip of “bend the law” remarks of Sen. Erwin Tulfo, a lawyer’s reaction that was caught on video when the senator was speaking went viral as well.