Senate in turmoil: Plunder case, Bato issue, and leadership crisis deepen | Sen. Erwin Tulfo

Añadido: 2026-05-29

[00:00:13]Heat.

[00:00:14]Heat.

[00:00:32]Good evening. I'm Pinky Webb. Tonight we ask the questions, we tackle the issues, we clarify matters, and we get on point.

[00:00:52]Another chapter in the escalating political tensions in the Senate, Senator Jingo Estrada is now facing a plunder and graph case in connection with a flood control scandal. This is the latest controversy to shake the chamber that has already been marred by a coup, a shooting, and a dramatic walk out by minority senators. Could even bigger confrontations lie ahead? Let's get on point with Senator Irwin Tula.

[00:01:18]Senator, good to see you again. Welcome to the show.

[00:01:20]>> Yes. Uh Pinky, thank you for inviting me in your program.

[00:01:23]>> Thank you for your time, sir.

[00:01:27]After Tuesday's walk out.

[00:01:28]>> Yeah. Uh I I I had a one uh wonderful sleep last night. Uh >> very very good sleep and then I had to wake up early this morning and exercise.

[00:01:40]>> Did you had a wonderful sleep because of what sir? Any events? Uh did any of the events help in your sleep? You know, it's just like uh we have to uh after after we uh after the walk out, the minority went to the office of Senator Migs and uh we discussed their uh what are we going to do on Monday. So, it's another day, another uh we have to fight again. So, we're anticipating they will bring the issue again to the floor on Monday. Mhm.

[00:02:12]>> So, and Senator Minority Leader Sto said, "So, Monday we anticipate now they will force it again." So, of course, we have to to fight it. So, option A, B, C, D.

[00:02:34]Yeah, there is. I cannot divulge it here.

[00:02:39]They will be able to prepare. We we do uh the minority we have options.

[00:02:43]>> Yeah. So first reaction sir on the case filed against uh Senator Jingoy because you called it actually Tuesday.

[00:02:56]Is it because there is that concern or fear that some of our colleagues might land in jail? You said that >> because it was um uh around I think 10 or 11 a.m. It was ombbudzman Remulia said that like uh we're filing charges against two senators low and uh he was saying like warrants of arrest things like that. So and he even mentioned Senator Estrada then uh Joel Villain Noeva. So I just sounded it off in the afternoon cuz the the issue being brought you uh insertion actually is they're trying to insert section 41C cuz 41B rule rule 14 section 41B clearly states there that uh um lawmakers uh senators can can can attend uh through teleconferencing video conferencing sessions If uh it's there's a force majour or uh national emergency >> 41C senator Marua uh justifiable reason so it's an additional so there's an addition >> so we were surprised because it's not in our agenda so we were caught uh we were caught flatfooted like what >> now we we have to tackle it now so They were only like nine of us. Some some are in their office and Mikubiri still we're still lacking 11 wasn't there. Senator Lid asked permission very important meetings so he cannot come back. So I was surprised and then but Senator Cheese was not there.

[00:05:02]>> Exactly. So 11.

[00:05:07]>> Yes. The problem was um so discussion Senator S first and then Senator Ping, Senator Pia because they're trying to force that 41C And then suddenly Senator Kayano said like okay let's just divide the house.

[00:05:29]Now wait a minute there's this violation of uh section 136 etc etc to the point now I I disagreed.

[00:05:39]I stood up and I said like why are we in a hurry I mean to pass this section or adopt this uh section or this rule? Uh could it be because two of our colleagues might land in jail over the weekend? Because that's what Senator I mean was saying a warrant of arrest might come out soon against two of our colleagues.

[00:06:09]Tuesday and in fact he said a case will be filed on Thursday.

[00:06:17]Of course, even those who saw the press conference of that day, that Wednesday afternoon, Tuesday. No, it's Wednesday. Wednesday.

[00:06:31]What? It happened in Wednesday. The walk out was Wednesday.

[00:06:33]>> Okay. Sorry.

[00:06:34]>> So, Wednesday.

[00:06:38]>> Wednesday.

[00:06:40]>> So, what happened was um I mean first for one hour and a half committee chairmanship is about impeachment after one hour and a half.

[00:07:20]Exactly. But Senator Ping was saying in spite of that one was um either and the second was Senator Ping. Now it can be told that Senator there call to adjourn. uh we can call up or the second was really in favor of the resolution or the motion motion for reconsideration >> on Monday. Monday um that came up when uh Senator Mix came down video mix was Senator Mix was counting us like then he looked on the other side. So he was thinking like if we walk out there'll be no more core room. So when I stood up >> so I was still talking. He was already uh making signs. Let's go. Let's go.

[00:08:24]Let's go. Let's go. Let's go.

[00:08:27]That's what he said. So we all packed up.

[00:08:29]>> Yeah. He said also it's a travesty of our rules. Okay. Sir, so um Sabin Senator Ping that a warrant of arrest likely likely could come out in 24 to 48 hours. That means could be Friday or or Monday Senator Jeno if issues one. Let's look at the numbers.

[00:08:53]Right now they are at um 12enator 11 warrant of arrest 11 versus 11. What happens with an 11 versus 11 sir? Well, status quo I mean 11 we actually we just need one to movement chairmanship but not the Senate presidency because uh in our rules there should be 13 only 12 then movement is from the Senate proempor and then the uh chairmanship of the various committees >> majority leader.

[00:09:42]Okay, >> we have to vote for the majority leader and proemporary.

[00:09:46]>> There are two scenarios here because even though Woodsman said there could also be another case that will be filed and we are assuming this could be Senator Joel Villaina. Sure. Um 1111.

[00:10:03]Do you honestly think, sir, at this stage 11?

[00:10:10]Yeah.

[00:10:11]>> You think so?

[00:10:13]>> Going to them.

[00:10:17]>> Going to the minority. I think so. I think so.

[00:10:23]body language during Wednesday some of them some are quiet one wasn't there Senator okay >> one was quiet I mean walking around talking keeps on talking >> and then and then the other one is like listening l so actually three three people. So I really don't know.

[00:10:58]>> So you you don't think at this stage siratory Senator Joel that they will band together more strongly.

[00:11:11]Yeah. Well that's that's what that's what remul said. So warrants of arrest that will come out very very soon. So, oh the 11 I'm 100% sure 11 going to the majority SB11 SB1. No solid.

[00:11:37]Yeah.

[00:11:39]Body language. So body language Senator Lauren. Uh that's still a likelihood.

[00:11:45]Senator Cheese. Senator Lauren, she has a lot of friends. I mean, both sides, Senator, very close. Senator Winellan, Senator JV, and so is Jesus Godo. Senator Chis is a barcad of Senator JV and Senator Win and my brother Rafi.

[00:12:11]So let me ask you sir I mean we'll have to talk about it senior members I mean because I'm not very familiar yet at this point I've been in the Senate only for less than a year July one year so I really don't know the decisions usually are left we we leave it to to the senior members of the minority >> what is your personal take on that though.

[00:12:43]>> What about >> if Senator Cheese let's say hypothetically decides to move to the minority >> probably has a very good reason very good reason to join the minority he believes uh what we believe in.

[00:13:02]>> We'll need to take a very short break.

[00:13:03]We'll continue our discussion with Senator Irwin Tufo when we return. Stay tuned. This is on point.

[00:13:14]Nope. Gen Z is not the faint-hearted generation. Period. There's another four more. Good shots, guys.

[00:13:31]Nicole >> because at BNC, young minds meet Fearless Question. The freedom to chase the truth wherever it leads. This generation doesn't just follow the story. They challenge it. They investigate it. They demand better from it. This is brave. This is bold. This is beyond what you think they are. BNC, the billionario news channel. From the life beneath its waves to the future it sustains. One ocean connects us all.

[00:14:06]Let's protect the waters that protect us. World Ocean Day billionario news channel.

[00:14:17]All right, welcome back. Still with us, Senator Win Tufa. Let's talk about um Monday uh itong motion to allow participation voting remotely.

[00:14:28]Personally, sir, are you open to this particular motion?

[00:14:53]video conferencing, teleconferencing, senator session and a justifiable reason unjustifiable reason other than force major, calamity, terrorism or national emergency.

[00:15:16]>> Other reason explanation justifiable reason other than those two mature reason for example Senator, let him do his job.

[00:16:05]Um I I keep on looking at it. Section 41B 41 justifiable reason. I I want to hear an unjustifiable reason. very vague justifiable reason. Could it be so that you can come back to workers of arresties?

[00:17:00]It did not happen. It did not congresswoman senator before national emergency.

[00:17:11]Let's clear that out because um clear that up rather senator participate um she acknowledged and surrendered. Take note rules to accommodate her to accommodate her request rules. And just for the record, let's just fake news going around.

[00:17:45]What about Lima?

[00:17:51]It was during pandemic.

[00:18:03]Let's take the case of an Senator Jingo, same case as Senator Laya submits to to the law in a situation like that. Would that be a justifiable reason for you? Um, national emergency right now. There's there's no emergency.

[00:18:29]Okay. Force right now. All right.

[00:18:38]Let's be honest.

[00:18:43]Justifiable reason. Is being in prison justifiable reason?

[00:18:54]You will go to jail.

[00:19:08]Facebook PDLs, BGMP, NVP access, internet, computer, cell phone, exempted special force majour, sir. Um Robin Padilia again, Senator Robin Padilia was saying that now let's post that China.

[00:20:02]Senator Robin is a friend of mine.

[00:20:23]Force majourrorist that's force majour calamity earthquake And this voice because because of a natural disaster that's not force Major major etc. >> What about that? I I don't know.

[00:21:29]Let me just reiterate now normal occurrence every every rainy season local government unit.

[00:22:02]You claim it force.

[00:22:07]This just doesn't work here. No. Our farmers still plow the fields.

[00:22:15]Fisher fishermen. They go out in the in the street.

[00:22:19]Exactly.

[00:22:26]Facebook page examples that can actually be be said bridge hanging bridge Right.

[00:22:56]Let's just put it this way. Uh, Miss Pinky, sector, the people are paying our taxes from you, from this cameraman, floor directors here, makeup artists, everybody.

[00:23:15]You You all contribute to pay the salaries of government officials. What does it make you? It makes you our employers. You are our employees.

[00:23:25]>> You're accountable to us.

[00:23:26]>> Exactly. We are the employees and you voted for us. What does it make you then? You are our bosses.

[00:23:54]Well, why didn't in the Senate May 11. Do you think it's about time sir that you write uh there is a motion >> I would agree now we uh definitely after all this I will really have to u stand up or I will have to uh uh probably manifest uh to change that rule exactly 6 months after 3 months a no show 3 months a sir not not just you any one of you know what let me tell you honestly some of My colleagues will get angry, will get mad, will be affected system.

[00:25:09]>> Yeah, >> that's just that's what I was saying Wednesday.

[00:25:14]But we're trying to hide something.

[00:25:17]>> Even flood control, somebody's yapping, let's open the flood control, blah blah blah. We're not satisfied. If you're not satisfied, why didn't you sign? You could have signed and then put amendments.

[00:25:31]>> Partial report.

[00:25:32]>> Yes. Uh I signed per I want I have amendments. Let's talk it over to the floor.

[00:25:43]The mere fact you're not signing it.

[00:26:00]I'm the vice chair. I'm sorry. Yeah, I don't want I don't want to sign it. It's my job. It's our responsibility. It's my duty. So, I have to sign it.

[00:26:15]being a journalist.

[00:26:18]You have duty people.

[00:26:24]So I signed it. My brother, my brother, he was the last one to sign. And he asked me, "Do I have to sign? You sign it.

[00:26:46]100 million that's even worse. Senator, very quick question. Um, I I believe uh change of leadership the only way.

[00:27:02]>> So with SP Allen at the helm, it's not going to happen. And is that what you're saying?

[00:27:11]Look at this, Miss Pinky. What? Three 3 weeks now? I mean, they've been there.

[00:27:17]Not a single bill we've talked about. Only one only one anti-detention bill. Hospitals cannot detain any more patients.

[00:27:35]collateral.

[00:27:36]>> Okay, >> that is it for for how many days? That's just nine days.

[00:27:43]I mean, it's it's already ripe.

[00:27:54]to pay for your for your electricity.

[00:27:59]We we wasted our time trying to protect dear Rosa trying to talk about where we attack lastly Wednesdays.

[00:28:25]video conferencing for justifiable reason even yourself. If we talk about that hospital detention bill in 2000, everybody will be happy.

[00:28:58]explanation.

[00:29:00]There was an explanation.

[00:29:01]>> Sorry, sir. We've run out of time.

[00:29:04]Question. Sure.

[00:29:07]That you will run for VPaki.

[00:29:10]Senator Rafi. Who said that?

[00:29:15]No. No. No.

[00:29:29]No, my brother said no. I said no, we're happy where we are at right now.

[00:29:39]Okay.

[00:29:49]Senator Marco VP a lot like that formidable.

[00:30:08]Maretta, Senator Marlet, eten sir Senator Senator Senator Irwin sir, hope to have you again. Um, we're going to see of course and monitor the developments on Monday.

[00:30:37]Well, please please pray. No, it will be a fruitful Monday, not a wasted day of uh chatting and fighting, but rather a day that we can do something for for for this country.

[00:30:52]>> I'm with you there. Thank you, sir.

[00:30:54]That's on point. Join us again tomorrow, 7:30 p.m. here on BNC, the Billionario News Channel. I'm Kinky Web. Thank you for watching.