Senator Erwin Tulfo on Wednesday filed criminal complaints against several individuals, including lawyer Levito Baligod, former Rep. Mike Defensor, Quezon City 2nd District Councilor Ranulfo Ludovica, lawyer Virgilio Garcia, and two of the so-called “maleta boys,” Bernard Gumban and Jeron Valderama.
Tulfo filed the complaint for grave oral defamation in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 before the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor’s Office.
The case was filed over allegations that he received suitcases of cash supposedly linked to flood control project irregularities.
The case stemmed from claims by Gumban and Valderama that they allegedly delivered suitcases filled with cash to Tulfo on at least two occasions. The senator has strongly denied the allegations.
In his 18-page affidavit-complaint, Tulfo said the respondents made malicious accusations linking him to corruption and bribery.
The allegations were raised during what was described as a supposed Blue Ribbon Sub-Committee hearing on alleged flood control anomalies. The activity was held outside the Senate at an events place along EDSA in Mandaluyong City on June 16.
Tulfo said the event was supposedly organized by the Cayetano/Marcoleta bloc, but no senators from the group attended. He said Defensor later referred to the activity as a “press conference” involving the respondents.
According to Tulfo, Defensor presided over the public gathering despite the absence of any senator who was supposed to lead the supposed hearing. He said Baligod, Garcia, Ludovica, Valderama, Gumban, and other former soldiers were also present.
Tulfo said Valderama introduced himself during the event as a former soldier and former employee of former Rep. Zaldy Co for one and a half years before making claims about alleged cash deliveries.
The senator said Valderama accused him of being among the supposed beneficiaries of a “maleta” containing large amounts of cash. Tulfo said Valderama claimed one suitcase was delivered to him when he supposedly met Co at a restaurant along Tomas Morato Avenue in Quezon City, near the office of ACT-CIS party-list, which Tulfo previously represented in Congress.
Tulfo also cited a February 26 incident in which Baligod, supposedly acting on behalf of the 18 “maleta boys,” submitted a notarized joint complaint-affidavit accusing seven senators and 26 congressmen of receiving suitcases of money from Co.
The senator argued that since the matter had already been brought before the proper government office, the respondents had no reason to publicly repeat the accusations against him.
He said the respondents allegedly used his name to fuel public anger and damage his reputation not only as a public official, but also as a family man.
Tulfo also said Gumban had earlier accused him of receiving large amounts of money delivered to a house in Greenhills, San Juan City. He said Gumban allegedly claimed he only knew the property belonged to Tulfo based on information from a certain Mark Ticsay.
Despite what Tulfo described as a lack of corroboration from Ticsay, he said Gumban continued to claim that the house where the money was supposedly delivered belonged to him.
The senator said this earlier allegation led him to file a separate grave oral defamation complaint in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act against Gumban before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office on June 8.
Tulfo maintained that the June 16 public meeting was not merely a venue to seek the truth, but was allegedly intended to discredit him before those present and before viewers of the livestream.
He said the respondents acted together in accusing him of being a recipient of suitcases of cash supposedly sourced from government-funded projects, particularly Department of Public Works and Highways flood control funds.
Tulfo said freedom of speech and expression does not give anyone the authority to publicly accuse another person outside proper legal channels.
He said allegations should be raised, examined, and acted upon through lawful avenues.
Tulfo said he could not simply remain silent while what he called false accusations continued to damage his name, reputation, and the trust given to him by voters.