A graphic circulating online falsely attributes a statement to Sen. Erwin Tulfo about detained senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta. It claims Tulfo said, “Anong klaseng rason yan… parang pinipigilan nyu bumoto… grabe naman manipulation yan.”
The graphic received 266 reactions, 415 comments, and 16 shares. While it refers to a real Senate issue, it attaches an unverified quote to Tulfo.
No credible news report or official Senate source verifies that Tulfo made the statement. The graphic also provides no video, transcript, or official source supporting the alleged quote.
Credible reports instead quoted Tulfo saying that the two senators may retain their committee posts but should not vote in plenary while detained. He also said they remain senators who have not been convicted and are therefore innocent until proven guilty.
Tulfo also cited former senator Leila de Lima as a precedent in discussing the issue. This context differs from the statement attributed to him in the circulating graphic.
The issue is timely because Tulfo is serving as a senator-judge in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. He also chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which continues to investigate alleged irregularities in government flood-control projects.
Because of his involvement in major Senate proceedings, statements attributed to Tulfo can easily gain public attention. However, without a credible source confirming the quote, the claim is best described as fabricated or falsely attributed.
