Broadcaster says sorry to DSWD Secretary, vows to tone down 'Tulfo-brand of journalism'
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 3) — Broadcaster Erwin Tulfo on Monday issued an unequivocal apology to Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista for cursing and threatening the former Army chief.
"Ako po at ang buong pamilya Tulfo ay nagpapakumbabang humihingi po ng kapatawaran kay retired general at ngayo'y Secretary ng DSWD, Rolando Bautista, sa pagmumura at pambabastos ko sa kanya on air... Nawa'y mapatawad ninyo ako bilang isang tao na may mga kamalian at pagkukulang din," he told CNN Philippines.
Despite his on-air apology, Tulfo said he is ready to apologize to Bautista personally so everyone can move on from the issue. Aside from the DSWD Chief, he also apologized to the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association, who threatened to file libel and defamation charges against the broadcaster.
Tulfo attacked Bautista on his radio-television program for failing to grant his request for an interview: "Sampalin kita 'pag nakita kitang buang ka eh, wala akong pakialam ke retired General ka, mudmurin ko yung mukha mo sa inidoro. Dagdag ka sa problema." , he apologized for his "excessive rants," but refused to take back his remark that Bautista is inefficient.
Erwin, along with his brothers Raffy and Ben, are known for their scathing commentaries. He said the family has been contemplating tempering their remarks.
"I think I have to tone it down, I have to change my style kahit na sinasabi na it is kind of a Tulfo-brand of journalism. I think we have to change that. My brothers agree with me, Mon, Raffy, Ben, we really have to tone down because times have changed," he said.
Ramon Tulfo, Special envoy to China and the eldest of the Tulfo siblings, said his family failed to react well to their success.
"My father was a respected military man and he taught us to respect authority. Along the way, perhaps we couldn’t handle success. I’m sorry. Probably there’s a lesson to be learned here. What goes up comes down, what comes down goes up. The universe is a perfect balance, the yin and the yang," he told CNN Philippines on Monday.
Despite Tulfo's apology, the police will not reinstate their family's recalled security escorts just yet.
"The pull out of their security details has already been decided. The renewal of their security detail will depend on the recommendation and validation of the threat on their lives by the concerned office. In their case i believe it's NCRPO. Which will further be evaluated by the Directorate for Intelligence," PNP Chief PGen. Oscar Albayalde said.
Albayalde on Monday admitted that eight of the Tulfo brothers' security were pulled out partly because of his threats and tirades against Bautista.
Related: Tulfo's threats vs DSWD Chief factored in recall of security escorts
