Ben Tulfo slams DSWD chief Bautista over conditions for accepting his brother’s apology

Reacting to this, Ben said, “‘BUTAW’ na P300k kinakailangan para mahugasan ang kasalanan.” (File photo: Ben Tulfo/Twitter)

Radio broadcaster Ben Tulfo took to social media to slam Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Bautista for saying that he is ready to forgive his brother, journalist Erwin Tulfo, if the latter will meet certain conditions.

In his Tweet on Saturday, June 8, Ben said, “P*tres na ‘brotherhood!’ Ang KAKAPAL! Ayon sa k*mag na OIC, mag-sorry daw sa lahat ng media outlet (D*mn this ‘brotherhood!’ What a thick face! According to this st*pid OIC, an apology should be issued in all media outlets).

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In his statement on Friday, Bautista said he is willing to accept Erwin’s apology if he would publish it in the following media and social media platforms: leading newspapers with a minimum of half-page size; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube; as well as radio stations DZBB, DZMM, Radio Singko News FM 92.3, DZRH, and DZRB.

Bautista, a retired Army chief, was also demanding the journalist to donate a minimum of P300,000 to each of the 19 organizations he had identified: the Philippine Military Academy, the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Incorporated, the Association of Generals and Flag Officers, the First Scout Ranger Regiment, Philippine Army (PA), the Special Forces Regiment (Airborne), PA, the Light Reaction Regiment, PA, the Philippine National Police Special Action Force, the Philippine Naval Special Operations Group, Philippine Navy (PN), the Philippine Marines Special Operations Group, PN, the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, the trust fund for the city of Marawi’s internally displaced persons to be administered by DSWD BARM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region), the Philippine Veterans Hospital, the AFP Victoriano Luna Medical Center, the Philippine National Police Camp Crame General Hospital, the Philippine Army General Hospital, the Philippine Navy General Hospital, the Philippine Air Force General Hospital, the Philippine Coastguard General Hospital, and an educational trust fund for the deserving children of DSWD employees to be deposited at the Landbank.

Reacting to this, Ben said, “‘BUTAW’ na P300k kinakailangan para mahugasan ang kasalanan (A fee of P300,000 is needed to judge a wrongdoing).”

“Tsong, daig mo pa si Padre Damaso at mga kolokoy na kauri mo! Nagpapatawa ka ba (Brother, you surpassed Father Damaso and pranksters like yourself! Are you trying to be funny)?!” he added, pertaining to the villainous Spanish friar in Jose Rizal’s “Noli Me Tangere.”

Erwin earlier berated Bautista after he failed to grant the veteran broadcaster’s request for an interview during his radio show. Bautista’s colleagues in the military came to his defense, putting Erwin in hot waters.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) also criticized the journalist for his remarks against the DSWD chief, saying there is “no excuse” in Erwin’s “utter lack of ethics and scruples in publicly insulting” Bautista.

[READ: NUJP slams Erwin Tulfo’s behavior vs. DWSD chief Bautista]

Erwin already said sorry to Bautista, saying that he should, perhaps, “tone down” his commentary style.