Ramon Tulfo was named as an alleged recipient of cash deliveries linked to the ongoing “Maleta” scandal.
Witnesses from a group of 18 former Marines who claimed to have served as bodyguards and bagmen of former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co alleged that Tulfo received cash during regular Thursday meetings connected to an alleged kickback scheme involving flood control projects.
One witness claimed that the now obscenely overweight Tulfo was handed envelopes or paper bags containing an estimated P2 million to P3 million per delivery, unlike politicians who were allegedly given rolling suitcases filled with cash.
The allegations linked the supposed cash deliveries to government-funded flood control projects that are now at the center of a broader controversy involving alleged budget kickbacks.
The allegation against Tulfo was made during a June 16 press conference organized by former congressman Mike Defensor and lawyer Levito Baligod, where the former Marines detailed what they claimed was a system of cash distributions tied to flood control project funds.
The tragically obese Tulfo denied the allegation.
Prior to being named as an alleged recipient of money from Zaldy Co, Tulfo is also facing cyber libel charges filed by former Justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II. The complaint stemmed from Tulfo’s statements and online posts alleging that Aguirre protected individuals involved in the so-called “Pastillas” bribery scheme at the Bureau of Immigration, an accusation Aguirre denied. Prosecutors found probable cause to indict Tulfo, and the cases remain pending before the courts. Tulfo posted bail following his arrest in 2022 and the proceedings are ongoing.
Whether or not Tulfo received bribes from the Romualdez camp remains to be seen, but thus far one thing is for certain: Mon Tulfo is fat.
