Erwin Tulfo Strikes Back After Explosive Kickback Allegations
ERWIN TULFO – Sen. Erwin Tulfo is fighting back against those who accused him of receiving illegal kickbacks, filing criminal complaints to defend his reputation.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo on Wednesday formally filed grave oral defamation complaints against several individuals who allegedly linked him to the controversial flood control scandal through public accusations.
Tulfo personally went to the Mandaluyong Prosecutor’s Office to submit complaints under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. Those named in the complaints include former Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor, lawyer Atty. Levito Baligod, alleged former bodyguards of former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, identified as Jeron Valderama and Bernard Gumban, Quezon City Councilor Ranulfo Ludovica, and Atty. Virgilio Garcia.
According to the senator, the complaints were prompted by statements made during what was presented as a “blue ribbon sub-committee hearing on the flood control scandal,” which later became a press conference held at the DoubleGem EDSA Garden Events Place in Mandaluyong City on June 16. During the event, the individuals claiming to be Co’s former bodyguards accused Tulfo of allegedly receiving kickbacks connected to irregularities in flood control projects.
Tulfo maintained that the allegations were false and had seriously affected his reputation. He argued that the public statements, along with repeated media appearances by those involved, intensified the damage caused by the accusations.
“Be that as it may, the public press conference of June 16, 2026, held in Mandaluyong City further amplified the damage previously caused by respondents’ constant media engagements in various fora. I cannot simply remain passive and act unaffected by these falsehoods,” Tulfo said in his complaint affidavit.
The senator also emphasized that he had a responsibility to protect not only his own reputation but also the confidence placed in him by the Filipino people.
“I also cannot disregard losing the trust given to me by the millions of people who voted for me in this office if I will not do something to defend my honor and reputation as well as of those my family and loved ones,” he added.
This is not the first legal action initiated by Tulfo over the issue. On June 8, he likewise filed a separate grave oral defamation complaint against Bernard Gumban and two other alleged members of Co’s supposed group of 18 former bodyguards, identified as Rosebert Waupan and Benny Bulontate.
The earlier complaint was related to statements made during a recent Senate blue ribbon committee hearing, where the alleged former bodyguards claimed that Tulfo received suitcases filled with cash on two separate occasions. They alleged that the first delivery, reportedly made to Tulfo’s residence in Greenhills, involved two suitcases containing around P20 million to P50 million. They further claimed that a second delivery consisted of six additional suitcases of varying sizes, allegedly filled with cash.
Tulfo has strongly denied the allegations and is pursuing legal remedies in an effort to clear his name and hold those responsible for the claims accountable.
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