Next year, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Erwin Tulfo will have the chance to prove before the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) t hat he his qualified for the Cabinet position.
Yesterday, the CA bypassed for the second time his appointment because its committee is still studying his citizenship - whether he has renounced his US citizenship or not.
Tulfo had served with the US Army in 1998 to 1992 and was assigned in Europe.
Another issue being studied by the CA is whether Tulfo’s conviction of libel, would disqualify him because it is considered a crime that involves moral turpitude.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said retired and sitting justices have been asked to help the CA study the Irwin Tulfo case.
After his second bypass yesterday, Tulfo needs reappointment by President Marcos.
The CA is now on a Christmas break and will resume its work next month.
Yesterday, Tulfo told Senate reporters that he wanted to submit to the CA documents from the US Immigration.
‘’I will not confirm or deny yung sinasabi mong never a us citizen, medyo complicated nga ang citizenship ko (I will not confirm or deny that that he was never a US citizen because my citizenship is complicated),’’ he said.
Tulfo explained that there are just waiting for the CA committee to resume its hearing.
”I am confident na may sagot tayo sa dalawa issues na niraised, we are just waiting for another schedule ( I am confident that we will be able to answer the issues raised. We are just waiting for another schedule),’’ he said..
Zubiri said Tulto said he used his US passport until 2021.
Asked whether Tulfo has renounced his citizenship, Zubiri replied: ‘’We need to get a certification that he is no longer a US citizen.’’
During the CA committee hearing, Congressman Rodante Marcoleta said: “To me an enlisted personnel in the US Army, either you are a citizen by birth. Meaning to say, you are a US citizen, or you have acquired US citizenship by naturalization. Or that you are a lawful resident... What is the status of your citizenship when you are enlisted, when you were in US Army and when you served in active military station in Europe?”
Marcoleta also raised Tulfo’s libel conviction, which he said is an issue of “moral turpitude” that disqualifies any individual from holding public office.