Erwin Tulfo: Alleged P5-M impeachment offer to solons should go to the poor instead
By Dhel Nazario
Instead of being offered to lawmakers, Senator Erwin Tulfo said on Saturday, May 9, that the alleged substantial incentives in exchange for voting in favor of Vice President Sara Duterte would be better off going to the poor.
"Kung sinuman 'yan na grupo na 'yan aba'y imbes na ipamudmod diyan ay ipamigay na lang doon sa mga nangangailangan. Mayroon tayong fuel crisis, mas maganda siguro mas matutuwa ako kung doon na lang ibibigay yan kesa sa mga pulitiko (Whoever that group is, instead of distributing that money there, they should just give it to those who are truly in need. We have a fuel crisis, I’d probably be happier if it were given to the people instead of politicians)," Tulfo said.
"Para bumoto in favor, not in favor of the impeachment. Parang unfair naman yata 'yan (To vote in favor, not to favor the impeachment. That seems a bit unfair)," he added.
It was Senator Imee Marcos who revealed the so-called "incentive package" being offered to lawmakers to secure a "yes" vote.
In a Viber message, she said that this includes cash worth P5 million, P3 million in additional Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) per month, and P150 million worth of projects.
When asked if there are offers to senators, she said: "Siyempre di ako ino-offeran (“Of course, I’m not being offered anything)."
Earlier this week, Marcos claimed that lawmakers are receiving threats to compel them to support the impeachment case against Duterte.
Marcos said that previously, members of Congress had been warned that their projects could be delayed or withheld, but now, those who refuse to align themselves with the push for impeachment may face complaints before the Ombudsman.