Sen. Erwin Tulfo‘s comments about focusing on the vice president during the impeachment trial resonated with the public after the first two weeks of the proceedings.
The senator-judge on Monday, July 20, called out some of his colleagues for supposedly using the proceedings to discuss themselves and the issues they are facing rather than focusing on the articles of impeachment filed against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Tulfo aired his concern after Sen. Robin Padilla, in his manifestation, claimed that the Office of the Ombudsman had accused him of failing to submit his counter-affidavit in connection with the obstruction of justice complaint filed against him.
The Ombudsman had summoned Padilla to respond to a complaint filed by civil society group Tindig Pilipinas, which accused him of helping Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa “escape” amid an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.
Padilla insisted he had filed a counter-affidavit. Ombudsman Boying Remulla, however, said that the senator ignored the summons.
The discussion prompted Tulfo to call out senators who used manifestations to make statements unrelated to the impeachment trial itself.
“Pwede po ba, ‘yung mga problema po labas sa impeachment court na ito, or labas sa kaso ng vice president, ay dadalhin natin dito? ‘Di po ba, ang korte na ito, naitatag para po sana kay vice president at kay vice president lamang?” he said.
“Mga ebidensya, mga testimonya, mga pahayag patungkol lamang po sana sa impeachment ng vice president,” Tulfo added.
He said that in the past few days, some senators have used sessions dedicated to the impeachment proceedings to defend themselves against issues involving them.
“This is not the right forum and the right venue, and not the right time, to explain your situation. Kung gusto niyo po mag-explica ng inyong mga saloobin, problema, maari naman po ninyong gawin ‘yan sa labas po ng oras ng impeachment court,” Tulfo said.
“Maari pong sa press conference, nandiyan naman po ang Senate media. Anytime po, andoon sila sa Senate briefing room. Press briefing room. Maari din po sa Facebook, sa YouTube, magpaliwanag. ‘Wag po natin gamitin ang oras ng impeachment court sa pagpapaliwanag o sa pagtatanggol sa ating mga sarili, simula pa po noong nakaraang linggo,” the senator added.
Tulfo said that the impeachment trial should be used to hear the evidence presented by Duterte’s team and the prosecution.
He emphasized that the court was created specifically for the impeachment of the vice president, not for senators to use it as a “forum” to defend themselves against unrelated issues.
A video of his speech, spoken on the seventh day of the impeachment trial, resonated with several Filipinos after a portion of it was uploaded on X (formerly Twitter).
“FINALLY, SOMEONE SAID IT,” an online user wrote.
FINALLY SOMEONE SAID IT pic.twitter.com/ECQfyCJxUZ
— marvièn (@mvn_dn) July 20, 2026
“Haayyyysss, sa wakas, may nab*wisit na din at tumalak. Salamat, SEN. ERWIN TULFO!” another commented.
“Tama!!!! Sa wakas, may nagsabi na rin,” a different Pinoy said.
“Louder, Sen. Erwin for Alan, Pia, and Robin!!!” another said, referring to siblings Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano. Alan Peter was previously called out for appearing to act as part of the defense team rather than as a senator-judge.
“Giirrrll, I never thought I’d agree with a Tulfo in this lifetime. Dami daming sarswela, nalilihis na ‘yung direction. Nag-uubos kayo ng resources,” a different Pinoy wrote.
Tulfo previously said that the senators aim to tighten the proceedings by limiting arguments to issues directly related to the case and resolving pending procedural questions early.
He said presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero is expected to exercise tighter control over motions and manifestations after the first two weeks of the trial were slowed by discussions that went beyond the articles of impeachment.
Tulfo said that the impeachment court has heard only two prosecution witnesses since the trial began on July 6.
It is currently tackling the fourth article of impeachment, which covers alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, as well as alleged remarks that incited sedition.
The comments were traced to Duterte’s November 2024 online press briefing, during which she claimed to have hired an assassin to kill the First Couple and the president’s cousin.
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