Sen. Erwin Tulfo on Sunday apologized to his fellow lawmakers for what he described as his “aggressive remarks” amid the ongoing leadership dispute in the Senate.
In a statement, Tulfo acknowledged that his comments regarding the possible arrest, manhandling, and removal of senators from the session hall were inappropriate.
“This is not how an official, much less a senator, should behave,” Tulfo said.
The senator also apologized to the public, saying tensions within the Senate had disrupted the chamber’s work and delayed the passage of important legislation.
Tulfo said recent clashes among senators had effectively paralyzed the institution and prevented lawmakers from advancing measures that would benefit Filipinos.
The apology came two days after Tulfo warned that he would order the arrest of senators who conducted Blue Ribbon Committee hearings without his authorization, insisting that he was the committee’s legitimate chairman.
His remarks followed a Blue Ribbon hearing led by Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, and Rodante Marcoleta that featured testimony from former Marines linked to allegations involving former congressman Zaldy Co.
In his statement, Tulfo urged fellow senators to set aside divisions and focus on legislation and investigations.
The senator belongs to the bloc led by Sherwin Gatchalian, who was designated acting Senate president after being elected Senate President Pro Tempore by 12 senators on June 3.
The leadership dispute has intensified following the arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada on plunder charges linked to the flood control controversy and competing claims over the Senate’s leadership and committee structure.
