Ralph Tulfo explains viral P6.7 million Las Vegas party
Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo has confirmed that he and some companions spent about P6.7 million at a Las Vegas club in December 2023. He has issued an explanation and asked for the public’s understanding.
Videos started circulating online last week showing Tulfo having fun with companions at a club in Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada.
In one video, Tulfo is seen drinking alcohol from a bottle while his companions look on. It also shows a bill totaling US$42,605; about P2.47 million. In the second video, Tulfo signs another bill amounting to US$73,951.64, or about P4.29 million.
Through a statement, as reported by Bilyonaryo News Channel on Sept. 27, Tulfo explained the videos and apologized for them.
According to Tulfo, he and his friends took part in the private party to celebrate Christmas and New Year, as well as to toast to some good news his friends recently received. He also clarified that while it was he who paid the bill with his credit card, his friends pitched in to help.
“Ang nasabing video ay kuha sa isang pribadong pagdiriwang noong Pasko 2023. Maliban sa kapaskuhan at sa pagsalubong sa taong 2024, may natanggap na magandang balita ang aking mga kaibigan kaya naman po kami ay nagdiwang,” Tulfo wrote in his statement.
“Bagama’t gamit ang aking credit card, nag-ambagan naman po kaming lahat para sa kabuuang halaga ng ginastos,” Tulfo added.
In addition to his explanation for the viral videos, Tulfo also said he regrets the lavish display. He continued that he understands why Filipinos would be upset.
“Sa panahong mahigpit ang pagbabantay ng publiko sa paggamit ng kanilang buwis, nais ko lamang pong linawin na ito ay isang personal trip, at WALA kaming ginamit na pondo ng gobyerno at pera ng taumbayan,” he said.
“Malalim ko pong pinag-isipan at pinagnilayan ito, at nauunawaan ko kung bakit masakit para sa mga Pilipino ang mga ganitong uri ng pagdiriwang,” Tulfo added.
The congressman wrote that his videos going viral and the public’s reaction to them have taught him to be more mindful of his actions, especially now that he is about to get married.
“Ang insidenteng ito’y magsisilbing paalala sa akin na maging maingat at mapanuri, lalo na ngayong sisimulan ko ang bagong yugto ng aking buhay sa pag-aasawa at pagbuo ng sarili kong pamilya,” Tulfo said.
He reiterated his stance on corruption, saying he is one with the Filipino people in their call for corrupt officials to come clean.
“Kaisa po kami ng taumbayan sa panawagan para sa pananagutan at pakikiisa sa paghahanap ng katarungan laban sa mga nang-aabuso sa pera ng bayan. Kaya naman huwag po tayong papayag na ilihis ang usapin ng korapsyon. Sama-sama po tayong mas maging mapagmatyag at panagutin ang dapat managot,” Tulfo said.
He ended his statement by asking for the public’s understanding: “Muli, humihingi po ako ng pang-unawa.”
The congressman is the son of Sen. Raffy Tulfo and ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo.
Earlier this year, he was caught using the exclusive EDSA bus lane, which is reserved for public utility buses, emergency vehicles like ambulances and firetrucks, and marked government vehicles responding to emergencies.
He has apologized and said that he had paid the necessary fines and will undergo a required seminar on the country's traffic laws.