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In an interview, Tulfo said he is the legitimate chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and has the sole authority to call for a legislative inquiry under the panel.

Tulfo said this after the bloc led by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano held a Blue Ribbon hearing on Thursday, chaired by Sen. Pia Cayetano and Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.

The hearing saw the 18 ex-Marines, who allegedly worked for former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, and who said they delivered suitcases of cash to politicians

“If they repeat holding a hearing, let them try. Especially that of the Blue Ribbon, let them try. Try it, hold a Blue Ribbon hearing, because I will no longer allow you to hold fake hearings there and I will have you arrested. I promise,” Tulfo said.

“Even if you are a senator, even if you say you are old, however many years you have been in the Senate, try me. Hold another Blue Ribbon hearing,” he added.

“I don’t care if you were a former Senate President, a former Speaker of the House… I will definitely have you arrested. If you won’t surrender, if the OSAA won’t do it, I will drag you, grab you by the collar, throw you out of that floor,” Tulfo said.

“Because I am the legitimate Blue Ribbon Chairman and what you are doing is nonsense,” he added.

Tulfo belongs to the Senate bloc led by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who was elected Senate President Pro Tempore and made acting Senate President by 12 senators on Wednesday after the Cayetano-led bloc skipped sessions on Monday and Tuesday following the arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada on Monday.

Alan Peter Cayetano said they skipped the sessions to prevent the other camp of senators from wresting control of the Blue Ribbon hearings. He called Gatchalian a fake acting Senate President, saying the other bloc did not have the needed 13 senators to effect a leadership change.

Gatchalian, when he presided over the session on Wednesday, cited the Supreme Court ruling in the 1949 case of Avelino v. Cuenco, in which the High Tribunal upheld a quorum of 12.

Tulfo said the Cayetano-led hearing was a “blatant disregard of the instruction of the order of the acting Senate President” and a violation of the Senate rules.

“That is why an ethics complaint can be filed against those who participated in the hearing yesterday,” Tulfo added.

Sen. Vicente Sotto III, a member of the Gatchalian-led bloc, and Tulfo were among those who were mentioned by the former Marines as among those who received cash deliveries they made.

Sotto and Tulfo denied the allegations, with Sotto saying that his aide mentioned by the ex-soldiers died in 2015.

Tulfo on Friday said he is preparing to file libel charges against supposed former Marines who accused him and several other lawmakers of receiving suitcases with money, adding the allegations are politically motivated.

“We will definitely file libel charges. They need to answer that because it is easy now to just point fingers, even at anyone,” Tulfo said in an interview.

“The problem is, is it backed up by evidence? We should be evidence-based… That is why perhaps when all this settles, we may need to strengthen the penalties for these kinds of cases, problems because it seems there are no teeth so anyone can just speak against anyone,” he added.

In an interview earlier in the day, Tulfo said he was not offended by the accusations and instead found the claims amusing.

“It’s funny, I watched them yesterday. I am amused, I’m not annoyed. When people tell stories, especially gossip, made-up stories, you just laugh,” he said.

“But of course we won’t let it slide. We are now preparing to file a case against those who accused us,” he added.

Tulfo said he wants his accusers to present evidence before the proper forum and challenged them to bring their allegations before the Office of the O

Senate Blue Ribbon Committee

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is a prominent investigative body in the Philippines, officially known as the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations. Established under the Philippine Senate, it is tasked with probing allegations of government corruption, malfeasance, and other public misconduct, drawing its name from the tradition of “blue ribbon” panels used in various legislatures to signify impartial, high-level inquiries. Over the years, it has conducted notable investigations into scandals such as the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) misuse and other cases of graft, playing a key role in promoting transparency and accountability in the country.

Senate

The United States Senate is one of the two chambers of Congress, established in 1789 as part of the legislative branch. It was designed to represent the states equally, with two senators per state, and has played a key role in shaping American law, approving treaties, and confirming presidential appointments. Over time, it has evolved into a powerful political institution, known for its deliberative nature and pivotal role in major historical events like the Civil Rights Movement.

House of Representatives

The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, established by the Constitution in 1789. Its membership is based on each state’s population, with representatives elected every two years to draft and pass federal legislation. Historically, it has been a key arena for major political debates, including the Civil Rights Movement and impeachment proceedings.

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest federal court in the country, established by Article III of the Constitution in 1789. It holds the power of judicial review, allowing it to declare laws unconstitutional, a principle solidified in the landmark 1803 case Marbury v. Madison. Located in Washington, D.C., its iconic building was completed in 1935 and serves as a symbol of the judicial branch’s independence.

Office of the Ombudsman

The Office of the Ombudsman is an independent government agency that investigates complaints against public officials and government agencies. Originating from the Swedish concept of an ombudsman in the 19th century, it was established to promote transparency, fairness, and accountability in public administration. Many countries have adopted similar offices, each tailored to their legal and cultural contexts, to protect citizens’ rights.