Erwin Tulfo: Hindi ko sisirain ang inyong tiwala
(UPDATED March 25, 2:10 p.m.) Broadcast journalist Erwin Tulfo, whom a news report implicated in the pork barrel scam, is confident the “truth will come out” regarding the latest accusation hurled against him.
Speaking before the audience at the 5th Golden Screen Awards for TV, which conferred the Helen Vela Achievement Award for News Broadcast on him and his brothers Ben and Raffy Tulfo, Erwin said, "Pangako ko sa mga sumusuporta sa akin, sa aking pamilya, mga kaibigan, mga kasamahan ko sa media, sa TV5, pangako ko na hindi ko sisirain ang inyong tiwala.”
Payoff accusations
Erwin was referring to accusations that he received "payoff" from National Agribusiness Corp. (Nabcor) in 2009. A check of P245,535 was allegedly issued to Erwin while he was working in DZXL.
He admitted having mixed feelings because of his current situation.
"Happy and sad ako sa mga oras na ito. Happy dahil sa award na ito, it means a lot to me. Especially at this moment na I'm undergoing some trial, you know that," he said.
Despite the allegations, Erwin doesn't feel discouraged about continuing his public service program, “T3: Reload” with Raffy and Ben.
Not discouraged
"Sa mga kritiko ko, hindi ito magiging hadlang para ituloy ang pagiging serbisyo-publiko namin," Erwin said.
Ben supported Erwin’s statement by saying that the use of payoff is "foul and disturbing."
"Let us speak the truth. For those people who write, na medyo ang dating ay, ang sasabihin ay payoff, payoff means bribe. Kapatid, ang payoff ay bribery, in exchange for advertising, foul ho iyon eh. Disturbing kasi kapag hindi nila naintindihan kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng salitang payoff, I wish they are listening right now, kapatid ho iyan ng bribe," Ben said.
Libel suit
In an interview with Philippine Daily Inquirer, against which he filed a P12-M libel suit, Erwin stressed that the alleged "payoff" was payment for the advertising slots.
"We sought an apology and asked them to rectify their report, but they didn’t. And it’s their right. But if the only way to clear my name is to go to court, we will do that. We have evidence—contracts, the commercial itself, withholding tax documents,” Erwin told Inquirer.
In a statement Tuesday, however, The Inquirer stood by its story, saying it was only published after thorough investigation. The story is also supported by statements and documents, the broadsheet added.
"In investigating and exposing the pork barrel scam, the Inquirer is motivated only by its commitment to report the truth to the Filipino people for the common good and the welfare of the nation," the Inquirer said.
