Journalist Erwin Tulfo makes a public apology for the second time since he berated Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Secretary Rolando Bautista after the latter refused for an interview with the former’s radio show.
In a statement, Tulfo considered his statement last Thursday as a public apology to Bautista. However several of the supporters and former colleague of the retired General didn’t accept his defense, so he made another statement to end the issue.
“Ako po at ang buong pamilyang Tulfo ay buong pakumbabang himihingi ng kapatawaran kay DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista sa pagmumura at pambabastos ko sa kanya on air.” Tulfo said.
According to him, the issue started to miscommunication because Tulfo didn’t research about Bautista’s achievement before criticizing the retired General who’s considered as one of the most respectable soldiers after leading the army in the front lines during the Marawi Siege.
“Nagkaroon po ng miscommunication ho. Mali lang ho kasi. Hindi ko muna ho inalam nang mabuti kung anong ginagawa nung mabuting Heneral (Bautista).” he said.
Tulfo also said that he welcomes any charges against him, especially the defamation cases filed by the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association against him.
“Kung kailangan personal na harapin ko DSWD Secretary Bautista, walang problema.” Tulfo said.
He also clarified that he’s already receiving security detail from the PNP since the Estrada administration.
Tulfo also understood that it’s the right of the PNP to recall his security detail.
Several days ago, Tulfo said that he would push Bautista’s face in the toilet bowl after the latter told his team that they need to write in advance before having an interview with the DSWD Secretary.
“Secretary Bautista, ha, ng DSWD, listen up and listen good. Tinatawagan ka namin para marinig ng mga kababayan nating mahihirap ang stand ng mga mahihirap, ha. Hindi yung sasabihan mo kami na sumulat muna kayo, 5 days, 5 days before. Eh sino ka bang p*nyeta ka na kailangan ko pang sumulat-sulat sayo?” Tulfo told Bautista.
“Sampalin kita pag nakita kitang buang ka eh, wala akong pakialam ke retired General ka, mudmurin ko yung mukha mo sa inidoro,” he added.
In his first apology, Tulfo also said that he would apologize to Bautista but he would not take back his words against the DSWD Secretary.
“I apologize for the ranting, excessive ranting. Kung may mga words ako na nagamit, siguro uncalled-for, ako (ay) humihingi ng paumanhin. Pero ‘yung pagpupuna po kay General Bautista., (‘yung) pagtawag ko sa kanya na walang kuwenta, inutil, hindi ko babawiin ‘yon kasi trabaho naman ng bawat opisyal, magtrabaho,” Tulfo said.