Senator Erwin Tulfo clarified that the gathering held in the Senate plenary on June 4, 2026, led by Senator Rodante Marcoleta, should not be considered a formal hearing but merely a forum. According to Tulfo, the discussion was not recorded or documented, thus it does not fall under the official Senate process.
Forum vs. Formal Hearing
Tulfo emphasized that it would be more appropriate for those involved to attend the official hearing of the Blue Ribbon Committee scheduled for Monday, June 8, 2026. In that hearing, the 18 former members of the Philippine Marines are expected to be summoned again to answer questions that were not addressed in the forum, including the names of Senators Loren Legarda and Mark Villar, which appeared in affidavits but were not mentioned in the testimonies.
Allegations of Bribery
During the forum, an allegation surfaced that a suitcase of money was given to Tulfo and former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. Both vehemently denied this, calling it a “big lie” and “planned propaganda.” Tulfo also pointed out inconsistencies in the testimony of witness Bernard Gumban, such as changes in the number of suitcases (from two to six) and the amount of money (from P15M–P25M to P40M–P50M), which he said demonstrate the lack of credibility of the accusation.
Upcoming Blue Ribbon Hearing
The Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on June 8 is expected to be more formal and documented, and is anticipated to clarify the controversial allegations that have caused tension within the Senate.
