Moving forward

PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde stated that he, too, was hurt by Erwin Tulfo’s tirade and vitriol towards DSWD Sec. Rolando Bautista, a retired and decorated general. Being a PMAyer himself, he felt hurt by the uncalled-for statements made by Tulfo on air, threatening to slap Bautista and even dunk his head into a toilet simply because he was not granted an interview. My, my…who wouldn’t be hurt, even angry at such statements, and on-air at that? Tulfo has since been called out by various groups, most notably from active and retired military officers, who hold Bautista in high regard. The Philippine Information Agency labeled him a “superstar wannabe” while the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines slammed him for “his exaggerated sense of entitlement.” In fact, I do not know of any group defending Tulfo, except to some extent the Palace. More on that later.

Albayalde also admitted that the reason for pulling out the Tulfo family bodyguards was partly due to Erwin’s outburst. What would be the reason for guarding someone who was against them? The attitude of the person being guarded is also a factor. Apparently, the Tulfo family had eight bodyguards issued by the PNP, I assume all paid for by the government. Ramon Tulfo, the country’s special envoy to China has bodyguards from the Philippine Marines. They too were recently pulled out, but the AFP claims it had nothing to do with the brother’s outburst.

Tulfo has since asked for forgiveness but was quick to rationalize that it was his job as a journalist to call out the wrongdoings of government officials. Albayalde has accepted, even praising his “sincere apology” just hours after making his feelings on the incident known. I wonder if this is the way active and retired officers of the AFP feel as well. And while the Palace supports Sec. Bautista, they are asking everyone to move forward, since an apology has already been made. That simple. Actually, I did not hear the Palace call out for his actions Tulfo who, incidentally, is rumored to be the next presidential spokesman. I wonder if it is wise for him to be given a Cabinet-level position in government, after an outburst such as this. I can imagine a pretty animated time at Palace briefings. By the way, since all is forgiven, I guess all bodyguards will be reinstated.

I myself have been on radio for quite some time. I also called out and criticized government officials. But never did I unleash a vile volley of words towards anyone, even when I was not granted an interview. I also cannot help but think that if Vice President Leni Robredo or any member of the opposition unleashed a similar outburst towards an administration official, would someone just ask everyone to “move forward” after an apology had been made? Or would charges come fast and furious, aside from bodyguards also being pulled out, if any? Just wondering.