I came across a news clip about Social Welfare and Development Secretary Erwin Tulfo getting deferred by the Commission on Appointments (CA) based on issues like dual citizenship and libel cases.
I also read somewhere that Erwin renounced his other citizenship before he was appointed by President Marcos, Jr. although another report said that the renouncement did not materialize due to a defective application.
That being settled, let’s talk about his libel cases.
A lawmaker cites the involvement of ‘moral turpitude’ in Erwin’s libel cases. I am not aware whether he had been convicted in any of those but granting so, these cases certainly have something to do with his being a journalist.
Libel is normally considered one of the hazards in the journalism profession. Most of the time, it is used as a form of harassment, to stifle the media or simply get back at a journalist for exposing an irregularity.
Sadly too, if the complainant is powerful or rich or both, there is the likelihood that the libel case will prosper and end up with a decision that is favorable to the complainant, especially since the majority of media members are usually left to fend for themselves when faced with libel.
It is undeniable that as a journalist, Erwin is known for exposing anomalies of public officials so, if ever he had been convicted for libel,
I’m certain that the intent was for the greater good. To me, the ‘moral turpitude’ issue may have a bearing if Erwin were a private citizen and not a journalist.
According to the Legal Dictionary, “while the conduct of moral turpitude may be used to determine the honesty or trustworthiness of a candidate for office, an applicant for certain types of job and witnesses at trial, it is defined as a legal concept that refers to any conduct that is believed to be contrary to the community’s standards of honesty, justice, or good moral values.
While there is no one exact definition of acts that are considered under moral turpitude, they are typically described as any acts of vileness or depravity, or of sexual immorality, whether in a private or social context.
The word turpitude is defined as a shameful, vile, or corrupt character or act. Moral turpitude refers to conduct that shocks the public conscience, or which does not fall within the moral standards held by the community.”
Classic examples of moral turpitude are murder, rape, manslaughter, arson, prostitution, kidnapping, and similar heavy offenses.
In the case of libel being filed against media members, it is even possible that the complainant is more guilty of moral turpitude than the accused.
I hope I am wrong but I suspect that Erwin may have crossed many lawmakers in the performance of his functions as a former journalist and they consider now as payback time.
I also suspect, and again I truly hope I am wrong, that some lawmakers are giving Erwin a hard time, expecting that he would lick their boots and be indebted to them. This way, all their requests with the DSWD will be served on a silver platter. It could also be that they would want the President to give them a call and thus owe them, there being no doubt that Erwin was among the first to have been appointed by President Marcos, Jr.
It is a known fact that so far, Erwin is one of the most, if not the most, efficient cabinet officials of the Marcos administration, and this, he proved when typhoon “Paeng” hit the country.
He has shown what “leadership by example” truly means when he led the relief efforts that came at the most proper time. He even canceled his leaves before he ordered his department’s key officials and personnel to do the same whenever there is a calamity or emergency that would require assistance from the DSWD.
Reportedly, Sec. Erwin sought guidance from the President himself and was told to just continue discharging his duties, which he does with flying colors.
A battle-tested journalist, Erwin is not the type who would be distracted easily. He is strong-willed, focused, and most especially, highly attuned to the needs of the masses whom the DSWD serves.
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