ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo (left), former vice president Leni Robredo (MANILA BULLETIN)

PILI, Camarines Sur---ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo shared that President Marcos sided with him--and not online bashers--during that one time that he rendered assistance to former president Leni Robredo.

Tulfo said this took place during his tenure as Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) secretary.

"When I was DSWD secretary, [former] VP Leni went to my office, na-bash ako (I was bashed)," the senatorial aspirant told a press conference here with his fellow Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas candidates.

"But I said, inexplain ko kay Pangulo [Marcos] (I explained it to President Marcos). And the President said, You did the right thing," Tulfo narrated.

"Tama, tulungan mo yung mga taong yun (That's right, help those people)," he further quoted the President as telling him.

Tulfo served at the helm of DSWD under Marcos from June 30, 2022 to Dec. 27, 2022. His tenure at the agency was followed by his nomination as ACT-CIS Party-list congressman.

Robredo, a Liberal Party (LP) stalwart, lost to Marcos in the May 2022 presidential race. She is now vying for mayor of Naga City here.

Robredo is arguably the most influential person in the whole of Bicol.

In the same presser, Tulfo cited the importance of being "colorblind" when it comes to politics.