Ben Tulfo Warns Ralph: “Huwag kang gumaya sa mga trapo!”
BEN TULFO – The veteran broadcaster strongly criticized his nephew, Quezon City Second District Representative Ralph Wendel Tulfo, after a viral video showed the young lawmaker spending around ₱6.7 million at a nightclub in Las Vegas.
The incident took place in December 2023, but the video only resurfaced recently, sparking public outrage. It came at a sensitive time, with ongoing investigations into alleged corruption involving lawmakers and billions of pesos reportedly stolen from flood control projects.
In the video, Ralph was seen partying with friends, drinking from a huge bottle of liquor, and signing receipts worth thousands of U.S. dollars at a luxury club in Caesar’s Palace. The total expenses reached ₱6.7 million. What angered the public even more was that Ralph himself uploaded the videos on his Instagram Stories, seemingly showing off their lavish celebration.
Many Filipinos were outraged, saying it was inappropriate for an elected official to flaunt such extravagance while millions of citizens live in poverty and depend on government services.
Ralph admitted that the video was real and issued a public apology. He clarified that no government funds were used for the trip. According to him, the expenses were split among his friends, and his credit card was simply used to pay the total bill. Despite his explanation, many still felt it was wrong for a congressman to spend — and publicly display — such a massive amount of money.
This was not the first time Ralph faced public backlash. Earlier in 2025, he also apologized after his vehicle was caught illegally using the EDSA Busway, a lane reserved exclusively for public buses.
On his show Bitag Live, Ben Tulfo directly called out his nephew, warning him “not to become a trapo” — a traditional politician associated with corruption and poor governance. Ben said Ralph’s behavior brought embarrassment to their family name, which is known for exposing wrongdoing and advocating for public service.
“Ralph, makinig ka,” Ben said. “Lahat tayo nagkakamali, nagkakasala, pero binibigyan tayo na magbago because we are entitled for a chance. Alam ko naman, humingi ka na ng public apology, but it comes with sincerity and accountability. Sana huwag nang maulit.”
Ben also urged his siblings to guide their children better to prevent future scandals that could tarnish the Tulfo family’s reputation. While Senator Raffy Tulfo and other relatives have remained silent, Ben said he felt it was his duty to speak out to protect their family’s legacy of honesty, respect, and service to the people.
Related Post: Ralph Tulfo Breaks Silence on Viral P6.7M Bill at Las Vegas Nightclub