Outgoing ACT-CIS Party-list Representative and Senator-elect Erwin Tulfo said Saturday, May 17, that he will serve as the "bridge" that will connect all the 24 senators from different political affiliations in the 20th Congress.
Erwin Tulfo to 'serve as bridge' among senators in 20th Congress
In his speech during his proclamation, Tulfo asked his fellow senators, both incumbent and incoming, to set aside their political differences "for the sake of our nation and our people"..
"Let us work together to resolve our problems before us. We are not enemies. We are Filipinos no matter what political colors we believe," he said.
Tulfo believes that there is one powerful force that can carry Filipinos forward amid "these trying times of economic hardships, social divisions, and heightened political differences".
"That is national unity," he said.
The upcoming 20th Congress will host groups of senators from at least three "political loyalties": one pro-Marcos, one pro-Duterte, and one neither.
Tulfo says unity is "not just a concept we talk about during elections", but the foundation of a strong and resilient nation.
"It is what binds the rich and the poor, the young and the old, the people from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao. It is what enables progress justice and peace," he said.
He believed that "If we fail to unite now, we may not be able to achieve what our leaders from the past to the present have been working on to uplift the life of every Filipino Citizen."
"As your newly elected Senator, I commit to being a bridge, not a barrier. I will work with leaders from all parties—listen to voices from all sectors and prioritize laws and programs that will unite rather than further divide this nation," he added.