SENATOR Erwin Tulfo has used his long experience as a field reporter with a keen insight on the public’s sentiment on critical issues in filing ten legislative proposals to strengthen the government’s fight against corruption, promote transparency, and ensure accountability in public service.
Responding to public perception that jail time for government crooks is not commensurate to the amount they stole from government coffers, Tulfo filed SB 1359 that increases the jail time for graft and corruption from the current 6-15 years to 12-20 years.
“Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives,” Tulfo said.
“By increasing the penalties, we are sending a clear message that betrayal of public trust has severe consequences.”
To aid in the investigation of corruption cases, Tulfo also wants RA 1405 (Bank Secrecy Law) to be amended further by authorizing a competent court or any investigating body to scrutinize the bank transactions made by public officials.
A long advocate of freedom of information (FOI), Tulfo also filed his version of the FOI bill to boost transparency in the bureaucracy and provide better access to government documents.
To further widen public access to information, Tulfo added his SB 1361 would mandate the publication of the SALNs (Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth) of all national officials and those involved in contracts worth at least P50 million.
“An informed citizenry is vital to democracy. Access to accurate and reliable information empowers Filipinos to participate in governance and hold officials accountable,” Tulfo said.
To ensure that no one will escape accountability, the lawmaker also filed Senate Bill 1362 which will regulate the foreign travels of government officials and employees who are subject to pending investigations, preliminary inquiries, fact-finding proceedings, or audits.
Tulfo wants violators penalized with dismissal from service, perpetual disqualification from government service, six to 12 years imprisonment, and/or a P500,000 to P2 million fine.
To put fear into the hearts of private contractors colluding with corrupt government officials as the multi-billion flood control projects showed, Tulfo also filed a measure to increase the penalties for contractors, subcontractors—including the colluding government officials— who violate public works contracts, and the revocation of their licenses.
As the probe on the flood control project scandal opened, Tulfo is among the earliest advocates in the Senate for the creation of an independent commission to probe the issue to allay public skepticism of conflict of interest among lawmakers.
Continuity needed
Seeking a permanent solution to the problem of misappropriation of public funds for infrastructure projects, Tulfo filed his version of a bill calling for the creation of a council that would craft and supervise the implementation, for the next 30 years, of the ‘Masterplan for Infrastructure and National Development (MIND).
“The lack of continuity in our infrastructure plans has caused delays, wasted resources, and missed opportunities. We need a framework that transcends political timelines,” Tulfo stressed.
Complementing SB 1360, Tulfo filed Senate Bill 1358 or the Budget Modernization Bill, which seeks to reform the budget process by enforcing greater accountability in public financial management, promoting fiscal sustainability, and increasing transparency and public participation.
Tulfo said these weaknesses resulted to the controversies surrounding the 2025 national budget that remains pending with the Supreme Court.
Another issue Tulfo sought to address is the Commission on Elections’ dependence on local government units for its field offices, which he said could expose the poll commission to “subtle but dangerous forms of political influence” that might erode public trust in the electoral process.
Tulfo also called for an investigation into the alleged inefficiencies in the implementation of Republic Act No. 11302 or the Ease of Doing Business Act, after foreign investors consistently cited difficulties in transacting with government agencies.
“By pushing for these reforms, we are laying out a stronger defense against corruption, safeguarding our coffers, and ensuring that the government will render genuine public service,” Tulfo said.
“The fight does not end in filing these measures, we will shepherd these and ensure that these will be implemented properly,” Tulfo further stated.