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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Raffy Tulfo: Impeachment evidence may be blocked if they fail to gain majority

Raffy Tulfo: Impeachment evidence may be blocked if they fail to gain majority

Published Jun 1, 2026 12:16 pm

At A Glance

  • Sen. Raffy Tulfo said the minority bloc wants to secure the Senate majority to ensure that all available evidence in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte can be fully presented and examined.
  • Tulfo argued that senator-judges should base their decision on the evidence presented during the trial, regardless of their political affiliations or personal leanings.
  • The senator claimed recent maneuvering within the Senate is connected to the impeachment case, alleging that efforts to gain majority control are aimed at influencing how evidence will be handled during the proceedings.
Senator Raffy Tulfo on Monday, June 1, said that gaining the Senate majority bloc is closely linked to the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, stating that the composition of the Upper Chamber's leadership could influence how evidence is presented during the proceedings.
Senators, led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, take their oath as the impeachment court convenes at the Senate in Pasay City on Monday, May 18, 2026, for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Duterte is facing impeachment charges over alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, and statements against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then House Speaker Martin Romualdez. (Mark Balmores)
Senators, led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, take their oath as the impeachment court convenes at the Senate in Pasay City on Monday, May 18, 2026, for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Duterte is facing impeachment charges over alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, and statements against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then House Speaker Martin Romualdez. (Mark Balmores)
In a radio interview on DZBB, Tulfo said he personally wants the minority bloc to secure the Senate majority to ensure that all available evidence in the impeachment case would be presented before the public and senator-judges.
According to Tulfo, control of the majority could affect the handling of evidence during the impeachment trial.
"Para kung sa amin yung majority, mailatag namin maayos ang lahat ng mga ebidensya (So that for us in the majority, we can properly lay out all the evidence)," he said.
"Kasi kung sila malamang sa malamang, palagi nilang kukontrahin, palagi nilang i-strike down (Because if it’s them, most likely they will always oppose, they will always strike it down)," he added.
Tulfo stressed that the public and senator-judges should be allowed to examine the complete body of evidence before reaching any conclusions on whether Duterte should be convicted or acquitted.
"Ilalabas namin lahat ng ebidensya available and then ngayon magdedecide ang taong bayan at the end of the day kung sino ba talaga ang nagsasabi ng totoo o hindi, kung dapat ba i-convict si Sara o dapat siya i-acquit (We will present all the available evidence, and then it will be up to the people, at the end of the day, to decide who is truly telling the truth — whether Sara should be convicted or acquitted)," he said.
The senator said the presentation of evidence would help guide senator-judges in making their decision regardless of their political affiliations.
"Kung ano man yung political color nila (Whatever their political color is), they will make a decision based on the evidence that were presented during that impeachment," Tulfo said.
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano dismissed allegations made by the Senate minority that the majority bloc’s proposed amendment to the Senate rules on remote participation is connected to the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
But Tulfo insisted that the recent political maneuvering in the Senate was connected to the impeachment case.
He even cited Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa's return to active participation in electing Cayetano as the Senate leader as an example.
Tulfo further claimed that several lawyers, analysts, and associates he had spoken with shared the view that efforts to gain control of the Senate majority were aimed at influencing the handling of evidence during the impeachment proceedings.

Related Tags

Raffy Tulfo impeachment complaint Vice President Sara Duterte majority bloc
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