Senator Erwin Tulfo has once again fired back at Senator Rodante Marcoleta following their heated exchange in the Senate on May 26 over proposed changes to Senate rules. Tulfo revisited what he described as an 'ad hominem' attack by Marcoleta against Senator Risa Hontiveros' legal background, which Tulfo had previously called out while still on the floor.
Tulfo Condemns Personal Attacks
According to Tulfo, Marcoleta's remarks were a blatant attack on Hontiveros' character and personality, rather than a critique of the issue being debated. He stated that Marcoleta's claim that a senator lacks legal background is unacceptable, especially since Hontiveros has been in the Senate for over a decade. Tulfo questioned Marcoleta, asking if he realized that his statement also offended Senators Camille Villar, Mark Villar, Bong Go, Robin Padilla, Jinggoy Estrada, and Joel Villanueva.
Non-Lawyer Senators Perform Duties
Tulfo emphasized that 16 current senators are not lawyers, yet many of them effectively fulfill their legislative duties. He argued that legal expertise is not a prerequisite for being a good lawmaker, and that personal attacks detract from substantive debate.
- Tulfo defended Hontiveros against Marcoleta's criticism.
- He listed several non-lawyer senators who perform well.
- The exchange highlights ongoing tensions over Senate rule changes.
