Sen. Erwin Tulfo Says “Bend the Law” Statement Born Out of Anger
ERWIN TULFO – The Senator defended his “bend the law” remarks during a Senate hearing on the flood control issue in the Philippines.
Following the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure or ICI that Pres. Bongbong Marcos ordered to be created for the investigation of the government’s infra projects, House Speaker Bojie Dy claimed that the flood control probe is best done by Marcos Jr.’s independent commission. In the case of the Senate, it pushed through with its investigation.
The upper chamber invited several controversial contractors as well as former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to the flood investigation. Amid the flood control mess, both the Senate and the House of Representatives had a change in leadership.
Sen. Chiz Escudero was ousted from the Senate presidency and replaced with Sen. Tito Sotto. The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee which was previously chaired by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta is now led by Sen. Ping Lacson. Its vice chairman is newbie Sen. Erwin Tulfo.
However, following one of the most recent Senate flood probes, Sen. Erwin Tulfo hooked the attention of the online community and earned bashing online. It was after Tulfo told Department of Justice Secretary Boying Remulla that the people are allegedly above the law.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo claimed that there are times when there is allegedly the need to “bend the law to please the people”. It earned the reaction of countless Filipinos online and many netizens stressed the core principle of the rule of law that “no one is above the law”.
Amid the criticisms, based on a post of ABS-CBN News on social media, Sen. Erwin Tulfo clarified his controversial “bend the law” remarks during a Senate flood probe. According to the Senator, it was born out of his emotion during the hearing.
“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,” he said.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo stressed that he did not say that the people should break or violate the law. Amid the various reactions, Sen. Robin Padilla opposed the “bend of law” remarks of Sen. Tulfo.
“I didn’t say that we have to break the law, violate the law,” Tulfo said.