Before he became House Deputy Majority Leader, Rep. Erwin Tulfo was among the country’s most popular radio and television hosts, with millions tuning in to him on social media too.
So imagine his chagrin when, in a hearing of the House of Representatives committee on public order and safety on eight policemen involved in the alleged illegal arrest of four Chinese nationals in Parañaque last September, the cops concerned refused to speak or even provide information to the panel.
“May I remind our officials from the PNP that this is a congressional inquiry, this is not a talk show, this is not a press conference where you can withhold information,” Tulfo said Monday, as he asked for the extension of the probe.
The detention of the eight police officers, who were previously cited in contempt, was also extended.
“We wanted to dismiss this investigation and release the policemen but we have no choice but to continue the probe,” said committee chairman Sta. Rosa, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez — incidentally, a former movie star himself.
Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop — a former police general — earlier cited the PNP for not complying with the request of 1-Rider partylist Rep. Bonifacio Bosita for the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM) to submit all the names of dismissed police personnel.
Acop was visibly irked when Col. Lynette Tadeo of the PNP-DPRM said they could not comply with the request because of the Data Privacy Act of 2012.
“I am telling you to read the law that you are talking about. It is not at all absolute. It has exemptions,” said Acop, who is also a lawyer.