MANILA – Columnist Ramon Tulfo Jr. should present evidence that former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II allegedly protected the “pastillas” bribery scheme at the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Malacañang said.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo described Tulfo’s claim as a “serious allegation,” saying authorities could not act unless formal complaints are filed against the former justice secretary.
“Mr. Tulfo, the one who is accusing him, should provide information to the proper authorities. Because unless you provide the authorities with any information or not, they will not investigate,” Panelo said on Monday.
Aguirre II meanwhile denied having knowledge in the “pastillas” scheme.
Aguirre said in an interview with DZMM on Tuesday that he is willing to appear before the Senate to belie the statements made by Tulfo during the Senate inquiry on Monday.
“Ako mismo susulat sa Senado kung puwede imbitahan ako para mapabulaanan ko ang kanyang mga akusasyon at masabi ko sa mukha ng Tulfong ‘yan na ikaw ay isang pathlogical liar,” Aguirre said.
Tulfo earlier claimed that a cut of the bribes were delivered via helicopter to Aguirre in Mulanay, Quezon as part of being the protector of the scheme.
Aguirre believes the motive behind Tulfo’s expose could be personal as the latter him asking for help to consolidate more than 70 libel cases filed by the Iglesia ni Cristo.
Aguirre, however, said he turned down the request of Tulfo as it was not part of his duty as Department of Justice secretary.
Aguirre said Tulfo then texted him: “Alam ko naman kung bakit ayaw mo akong tulungan sapagkat gusto mong tulungan ka ng Iglesia at ayaw mong ma-offend sila dahil gusto mong tumakbong senador.”
“Few weeks after, katakot-takot na ang sinulat niya (Tulfo) na paninira na column tungkol sa akin,” Aguirre said.
“Kung mapansin mo si (Allison) Chiong, ni minsan hindi na-mention ang pangalan ko. Nandoon naman lahat ng senador. Nandoon naman si Chiong. Bakit hindi nila tanungin si Chiong?” he added.
Aguirre also tagged former Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, sister of Tulfo, as among those who pushed for the issuance of visas on arrival to Chinese tourists.
“Wala pong ginawa ‘yan during our Cabinet meetings kundi kausapin ako kasi daw para naman gumanda ganda ‘yung performance ng kaniyang Department of Tourism (DOT). Hindi lang DOT, marami rin pong agencies of government,” he said.
Aguirre earlier accused Tulfo of defamation for claiming he was protecting human traffickers during his stint as justice secretary. (With PNA/PN)
