(Eagle News)–Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista on Friday, June 7, said he would accept the apology of Erwin Tulfo, who had called him names on air after the government official failed to give him a live interview, if the radio broadcaster complied with certain conditions.
In a statement, Bautista said Tulfo should first publish his at least half-a-page apology in leading newspapers and in the following radio stations: DZBB, DZMM, Radyo Singko News FM 92.3, DZRH and DZRB.
He said the apology should also be published in social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
According to Bautista, instead of paying him damages for maligning his reputation and the organizations he represents, Tulfo should donate at least P300,000 to each of the following: The Philippine Military Academy; the PMA Alumni Association Inc.; the Association of Generals and Flag Officers; the First Scout Ranger Regiment Inc., PA; the Philippine National Police Special Action Force; the Philippine Naval Special Operations Group; the Philippine Marines Special Operations Group; the Philippine National Police Maritime Group; the Trust Fund for the City of Marawi’s Internaly Displaced Persons to be administered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Mindanao; the Philippine Veterans Hospital; the AFP Victoriano Luna Medical Center; the Camp Crame General Hospital; the Philippine Army General Hospital; the Philippine Navy General Hospital; the Philippine Air Force General Hospital; the Philippine Coast Guard General Hospital; and an educational trust fund for the deserving children of DSWD employees to be deposited at the Landbank.
In his statement, Bautista also took the opportunity to thank those who expressed support for him following Tulfo’s name-calling.
“Ang inyong tiwala, paniniwala at pagbibigay-galang sa akin at higit sa lahat sa Akademyang Militar ng Pilipinas, Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas, at Kagawaran ng Kagalingan at Pagpapaunlad Panlipunan na aking pinagdaananan at pinaglingkuran ang siyang nag-obliga sa aking magpasya ng ganito, kasama ng mungkahi ng mga nakatatanda at aking mga kaibigan upang mabigyan ng karapatdapat na pagbibigay galang at karangalan ang bawat isa po sa inyo na tumulong sa iyong abang lingkod,” he said.
In his radio program, Tulfo lambasted Bautista after the DSWD asked the radio program to send a formal request first.
“Sino ba itong buang na ito? Pasensiya na muna ano ha. Maski tao ka ni Pangulong Duterte, le-lecture-an muna kita,” Tulfo had said.
He also threatened to slap Bautista, and to even dunk his head inside a toilet bowl.
His tirades earned the ire of the military, with some launching a Change.org petition to demand for Tulfo’s apology.
Tulfo has since apologized, acknowledging he needed to tone down his way of commentary.
Bautista served as ground commander during the Marawi siege in 2017.
