MANILA, Philippines – TV5 on Tuesday, May 8, criticized their own program hosts – the Tulfo brothers – for statements they made against actor Raymart Santiago regarding his brawl with broadcaster Ramon “Mon” Tulfo Jr.

“While we understand the emotions at play during the broadcast, News5 does not and will never condone such behavior. It was not only uncalled for but runs counter to the established Code of Ethics that we all strictly adhere to,” TV5 said in an official statement.

News5, the news department of TV5, referred to statements made by Raffy, Ben, and Erwin Tulfo against Santiago in their public affairs show T3. 

“We are taking necessary actions to deal with this lapse in judgment on the part of the Tulfo brothers and assure the public that we remain committed to objective and impartial journalism,” TV5 added.

‘Lintik na ganti ng Tulfo’

On behalf of his brothers Raffy and Ben, Erwin Tulfo apologized for their remarks against Santiago also on Tuesday. “Maging ang aming ina ay hindi nagustuhan dahil ito raw ay pagbabanta,” Erwin said. (Even our mother didn’t like it because it was a threat.)  

Speaking in Filipino, the Tulfo brothers delivered threatening remarks against Santiago on Monday, May 7, in connection with his brawl against their elder brother, Ramon, a day earlier.

“Hindi pa tayo tapos, Raymart, hindi pa tapos. Hindi pa tapos. Antabayanan mo. Antabayanan ang lintik na ganti ng Tulfo,” Erwin said. (We are not yet done, Raymart, we are not yet done. We are not yet done. Wait for it. Wait for the Tulfos’ revenge.)  

The issue began as a consumer complaint on the part of actress Claudine Barretto on Sunday, May 6, after she discovered Cebu Pacific offloaded her family’s luggage from their Boracay-Manila flight.

Tulfo took images of Barretto supposedly scolding and cursing a ground stewardess. Barretto’s husband, Santiago, then approached Tulfo. Santiago said he merely asked what Tulfo was doing, while the broadcaster claimed the actor threatened him. – Rappler.com

Click on the links below to read about the Tulfo-Santiago airport scuffle:

• Tulfo-Santiago brawl: Punishment for physical injuries
• The Tulfos, T3 and judgment day
• Netizens weigh in on Ramon Tulfo – Raymart Santiago airport scuffle