Senator-Elect Tulfo Brings Media Experience to Impeachment Trial
Senator-elect Erwin Tulfo expressed confidence on Monday that his background in journalism equips him well to serve as one of the senator-judges in the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Tulfo emphasized that his media experience will help him carefully evaluate the evidence presented during the proceedings.
When asked about his readiness for the impeachment trial despite being a newcomer to the Senate after finishing fourth in the recent 2025 midterm elections, Tulfo highlighted the investigative skills he developed as a journalist. He explained how media professionals handle sensitive information and allegations, applying that approach to the trial setting.
“Sa tingin ko po may experience naman tayo, lalo na tayo ay galing sa media. Tayo sa media, pag meron pong dinala po na balita sa atin, o istorya, o scoop, o exclusive, lalo na pag ito ay paratang sa isang tao, ito isang anomalya, kaagad po natin tinatanong po ‘yung source natin, ano ba mga ebidensya, saan ba galing ito, meron ka bang katibayan?” Tulfo said during a recent interview.
(I believe I have experience especially that I am from the media. We in the media, whenever we receive a news, a story, a scoop, or an exclusive, especially if it is an allegation against a person regarding an anomaly, we immediately ask our source about their evidence, where did they get it, do they have a proof?)
Approach to Evidence and Fair Hearing
Tulfo also stressed the importance of hearing both sides before making any judgments. He described the process of questioning the accused and reviewing the evidence from both the prosecution and defense as essential to a fair trial.
“At pagkatapos po tinatanong po natin ‘yung inaakusahan kung totoo po ba ito, ano naman po ang masasabi ninyo. Basically, parang ganyan din po ang tingin ko [na mangyayari]. Kailangan po natin pakinggan at makita ‘yung mga ebidensya na dadalhin po sa korte ng prosecution. Ganon din po ‘yung pieces of evidence at counter affidavit or statement naman po ng kabilang panig, ng panig po ni Vice President Sara,” he explained.
(And then we ask the one being accused if it is true, what can they say about it. Basically, that’s what I think will happen. We need to listen and see the evidence that will be brought to the impeachment court by the prosecution. The same with the pieces of evidence, counter affidavit, or statement of the other camp, the side of Vice President Sara.)
Maintaining Impartiality in Impeachment Trial
Tulfo clarified that he deliberately did not sign the impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte earlier this year while serving as an ACT-CIS party-list representative. He believed signing it then would compromise his impartiality as a senator-judge if elected.
“Magiging tainted na po tayo [kung pumirma na ako noon]. Alam ko pong aakyat po tayo sa Senado at magiging senator-judge e…kung nanalo nga. At ito nga po, nanalo tayo. Kung ako po ay nagbigay na ng aking desisyon, pumirma na ho ako doon e tainted na ho [kahit] hindi ko pa nakikita ‘yung mga ebidensya naman ng kabila,” Tulfo said.
(My standing as a judge will be tainted had I signed it. I knew that we would be elevated to the Senate and we would have to serve as one of the judges if we won, and we indeed won. Had I decided to sign the impeachment complaint back then, I would be a tainted judge even though I am yet to see the evidence of the other side.)
On Allegations and Due Process
The impeachment complaint was initiated by over 200 House members following an inquiry by the good government and public accountability panel into the alleged misuse of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education under Duterte’s leadership.
Tulfo emphasized that the findings of the congressional investigation are still allegations. He refrained from passing judgment without hearing the defense.
“Mahirap po magsalita na sasabihin nating guilty e hindi ko po nakikita ‘yung kabilang panig. Ginamit ko lang po ‘yung pagiging journalist ko na gusto ko rin po marinig ‘yung kabilang panig,” he added.
(It is hard for me to say if she is guilty or not when I am yet to see her defense. I went into journalist mode because I wanted to hear her side first.)
For more news and updates on the impeachment trial, visit Filipinokami.com.