Tulfo cuts short Blue Ribbon hearing (original) (raw)

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate cut short its public hearing on the flood control fund scandal in deference to the victims of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck General Santos City Monday morning.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo, chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee under the "new" majority bloc, decided to end the inquiry to allow fellow senators to come up with plans on how to help the affected communities.

"Kahit na nag-he hearing kami kanina rito hindi maalis sa isip namin [sa biktima ng lindol] (Our minds are with the earthquake victims while we were conducting the hearing)," said Sen. JV Ejercito.

"Kaya nga pinutol na para matignan din kung paano tayo makakatulong sa ating mga kabayayan doon (That's why it was cut short to determine how we can help our fellowmen there)," he added.

Asked whether the senators will pool resources, such as donating a portion of their salaries to the affected families, Ejercito, in Filipino said, “We'll discuss that."

Get the latest news
delivered to your inbox

Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters

By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Senator Erwin Tulfo presides over the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee as it resumes its investigation into alleged corruption in multi-million-peso flood control projects on Monday, June 8, 2026. It was attended by Office of the Ombudsman lawyers (from left) Karen S. Batu and Jeffrey Ravelo, Public Works Undersecretary Ricardo Bernabe III NBI Director Melvin Matibag Justice Assistant Secretary Joey Bernardez, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon; Budget Assistant Secretary Andrea Celene Magtalas and Director Maria Cresencia Sunga. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

Senator Erwin Tulfo presides over the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee as it resumes its investigation into alleged corruption in multi-million-peso flood control projects on Monday, June 8, 2026. It was attended by Office of the Ombudsman lawyers (from left) Karen S. Batu and Jeffrey Ravelo, Public Works Undersecretary Ricardo Bernabe III NBI Director Melvin Matibag Justice Assistant Secretary Joey Bernardez, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon; Budget Assistant Secretary Andrea Celene Magtalas and Director Maria Cresencia Sunga. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

Senator Erwin Tulfo presides over the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee as it resumes its investigation into alleged corruption in multi-million-peso flood control projects on Monday, June 8, 2026. It was attended by Office of the Ombudsman lawyers (from left) Karen S. Batu and Jeffrey Ravelo, Public Works Undersecretary Ricardo Bernabe III NBI Director Melvin Matibag Justice Assistant Secretary Joey Bernardez, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon; Budget Assistant Secretary Andrea Celene Magtalas and Director Maria Cresencia Sunga. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

Senator Erwin Tulfo presides over the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee as it resumes its investigation into alleged corruption in multi-million-peso flood control projects on Monday, June 8, 2026. It was attended by Office of the Ombudsman lawyers (from left) Karen S. Batu and Jeffrey Ravelo, Public Works Undersecretary Ricardo Bernabe III NBI Director Melvin Matibag Justice Assistant Secretary Joey Bernardez, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon; Budget Assistant Secretary Andrea Celene Magtalas and Director Maria Cresencia Sunga. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

Senator Erwin Tulfo presides over the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee as it resumes its investigation into alleged corruption in multi-million-peso flood control projects on Monday, June 8, 2026. It was attended by Office of the Ombudsman lawyers (from left) Karen S. Batu and Jeffrey Ravelo, Public Works Undersecretary Ricardo Bernabe III NBI Director Melvin Matibag Justice Assistant Secretary Joey Bernardez, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon; Budget Assistant Secretary Andrea Celene Magtalas and Director Maria Cresencia Sunga. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

Senator Erwin Tulfo presides over the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee as it resumes its investigation into alleged corruption in multi-million-peso flood control projects on Monday, June 8, 2026. It was attended by Office of the Ombudsman lawyers (from left) Karen S. Batu and Jeffrey Ravelo, Public Works Undersecretary Ricardo Bernabe III NBI Director Melvin Matibag Justice Assistant Secretary Joey Bernardez, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon; Budget Assistant Secretary Andrea Celene Magtalas and Director Maria Cresencia Sunga. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

Senator Erwin Tulfo presides over the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee as it resumes its investigation into alleged corruption in multi-million-peso flood control projects on Monday, June 8, 2026. It was attended by Office of the Ombudsman lawyers (from left) Karen S. Batu and Jeffrey Ravelo, Public Works Undersecretary Ricardo Bernabe III NBI Director Melvin Matibag Justice Assistant Secretary Joey Bernardez, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon; Budget Assistant Secretary Andrea Celene Magtalas and Director Maria Cresencia Sunga. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

Senator Erwin Tulfo presides over the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee as it resumes its investigation into alleged corruption in multi-million-peso flood control projects on Monday, June 8, 2026. It was attended by Office of the Ombudsman lawyers (from left) Karen S. Batu and Jeffrey Ravelo, Public Works Undersecretary Ricardo Bernabe III NBI Director Melvin Matibag Justice Assistant Secretary Joey Bernardez, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon; Budget Assistant Secretary Andrea Celene Magtalas and Director Maria Cresencia Sunga. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

Senator Erwin Tulfo presides over the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee as it resumes its investigation into alleged corruption in multi-million-peso flood control projects on Monday, June 8, 2026. It was attended by Office of the Ombudsman lawyers (from left) Karen S. Batu and Jeffrey Ravelo, Public Works Undersecretary Ricardo Bernabe III NBI Director Melvin Matibag Justice Assistant Secretary Joey Bernardez, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon; Budget Assistant Secretary Andrea Celene Magtalas and Director Maria Cresencia Sunga. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

Senator Erwin Tulfo presides over the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee as it resumes its investigation into alleged corruption in multi-million-peso flood control projects on Monday, June 8, 2026. It was attended by Office of the Ombudsman lawyers (from left) Karen S. Batu and Jeffrey Ravelo, Public Works Undersecretary Ricardo Bernabe III NBI Director Melvin Matibag Justice Assistant Secretary Joey Bernardez, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon; Budget Assistant Secretary Andrea Celene Magtalas and Director Maria Cresencia Sunga. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

Senator Erwin Tulfo presides over the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee as it resumes its investigation into alleged corruption in multi-million-peso flood control projects on Monday, June 8, 2026. It was attended by Office of the Ombudsman lawyers (from left) Karen S. Batu and Jeffrey Ravelo, Public Works Undersecretary Ricardo Bernabe III NBI Director Melvin Matibag Justice Assistant Secretary Joey Bernardez, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon; Budget Assistant Secretary Andrea Celene Magtalas and Director Maria Cresencia Sunga. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

Senator Erwin Tulfo presides over the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee as it resumes its investigation into alleged corruption in multi-million-peso flood control projects on Monday, June 8, 2026. It was attended by Office of the Ombudsman lawyers (from left) Karen S. Batu and Jeffrey Ravelo, Public Works Undersecretary Ricardo Bernabe III NBI Director Melvin Matibag Justice Assistant Secretary Joey Bernardez, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon; Budget Assistant Secretary Andrea Celene Magtalas and Director Maria Cresencia Sunga. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

This website uses cookies. By continuing to browse the website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Read More.