Sen. Tulfo clarifies stance on Duterte drug war in ‘TV Patrol’ interview

As the spokesperson for what was once the Senate’s minority bloc — now the new majority — Senator Erwin Tulfo has spent the past few days fielding questions from the media about the political upheaval in the upper chamber.

From 24 Oras to Frontline Pilipinas to The Big Story, the ex-newsman has been making his case as to why a leadership change in the Senate was needed.

His recent television appearances have sparked conversations online. Some viewers and analysts have praised his pointed rebuttals against ousted Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, noting that his background in broadcasting has helped him clearly and effectively communicate with the masses, while also earning the ire of the other side — those aligned with the Duterte faction.

The latter was brought up by TV Patrol anchor Karen Davila during a one-on-one interview on Tuesday.

Tulfo had been a vocal supporter of former President Rodrigo Duterte during his administration and even hosted his Sa Totoo Lang specials on state-run PTV4.

During the interview, Davila cited criticism from diehard Duterte supporters who now accuse Tulfo of abandoning positions they once believed he had defended. In particular, Mr. Duterte’s bloody war on drugs.

“Isa pang personal na obserbasyon laban sa inyo, sinabi po nung panahon daw ni Duterte, kamping-kampi po kayo sa drug war. So siguro, sinasabi ngayon ay bumabaliktad naman ang paninidigan niyo. Quick reaction on that,” Davila asked.

Tulfo, while insisting that the discussion should remain focused on the current situation in the Senate, addressed the criticism.

“Dalawang bagay, Ms. Karen. Una, ang isyu rito ‘yung senado, hindi po ‘yung drug war ng pangulo. Sabi ko nga siguro kailangan magpacheckup po si Senador Alan Cayetano sa psychiatrist, sa psychologist. Meron po kami dito sa Senado. Hindi po ‘yan ang isyu tungkol sa drug war,” he said.

Tulfo acknowledged his past support for Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, particularly in the early years of his presidency, but raised questions over the circumstances surrounding many of the killings linked to the crackdown.

“Pangalawa, tama po ‘yun suportado ko po dati, suportado namin ang drug war ni Pangulong Duterte nung pag-upo niya. Pero ‘yung sunod-sunod na na nanlaban, araw-araw may nanlaban, tricycle driver nanlaban, lahat ng namamatay biglang may nambaril, na mga paltik, how is that, diba?” he said.

Duterte is currently detained at the International Criminal Court detention center in The Hague, Netherlands over allegations of crimes against humanity in connection with his administration’s anti-drug campaign. A full trial is scheduled to begin in November.

Watch the video below: