Davao City First District Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte has launched a scathing response to retired journalist Ramon "Mon" Tulfo's allegations that he, along with Vice President Sara Duterte and political leader Chavit Singson, financed a plot to destabilize the current administration.
Explosive Exchange Between Duterte and Tulfo
In a strongly worded statement released on Monday, November 10, 2025, Representative Pulong Duterte dismissed Tulfo's claims as fantasy. "The only destabilization happening here is in his grip on reality," Duterte declared, taking aim at Tulfo's credibility.
The congressman suggested that Tulfo must have received substantial payment from President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., whom he referred to using the controversial term "bangag" [drug addict]. According to Duterte, Tulfo's motivation for making these allegations stems from his desire to be appointed as special envoy to China.
Duterte didn't hold back in his criticism of Tulfo's journalistic integrity, stating that "the only thing working harder than his sense of journalism" is Tulfo's imagination. He challenged Tulfo to "try using the truth instead of testosterone" if he genuinely seeks attention.
The Controversial List of Alleged Financiers
On the same day as Duterte's response, Tulfo revealed what he described as a list containing names of prominent political figures allegedly involved in financing efforts to destabilize the Marcos administration. The list, which Tulfo posted on Facebook, included several high-profile names:
- Vice President Sara Duterte
- Representative Paolo Duterte
- Ilocos Sur political leader Luis "Chavit" Singson
- Several other individuals including Romeo Poquiz, Orly De Leon, and Ferdinand Topacio
Tulfo claimed the information came from a "reliable informant" but provided no concrete evidence to support his allegations. He also refused to disclose his source, famously stating he wouldn't reveal it even if "kahit pitpitin ang bayag niya (even if his testicles are crushed)."
Representative Duterte responded to this refusal by sarcastically noting that Tulfo "does not have any balls" and that nobody was particularly interested in his source anyway.
Previous Denials and Political Context
This isn't the first time allegations of destabilization plots have surfaced. On October 14, 2025, Vice President Sara Duterte had already denied similar claims, stating that "Yung destabilization, nanggagaling lang naman 'yan sa administrasyon eh. Wala namang destabilization na nangyayari" (That destabilization, that only comes from the administration. There is no destabilization happening).
The Vice President suggested that the administration might be feeling insecure or afraid of the strength of people's voices, particularly as rallies have been organized across the Philippines calling for accountability regarding anomalous flood control projects involving politicians and construction firms.
Representative Duterte concluded his statement by characterizing Tulfo's entire career as built on "gossip disguised as courage," but noted that this time, the retired journalist had gone "full fantasy" by inventing plots and pretending to be part of a spy thriller.
