Tulfo says choppers delivered kickbacks to Aguirre; ex-DOJ chief denies it

Media practitioner Ramon Tulfo Jr. on Tuesday stood pat on his allegation that helicopters delivered wads of cash to former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II who supposedly benefitted from the supposed kickbacks from the "pastillas scheme."

Aguirre, however, said it's just hearsay.

During the continuation of the Senate hearing on the alleged modus in the Bureau of Immigration which reportedly allows Chinese high-rollers and offshore gaming workers to seamlessly enter the country, Tulfo presented photos and videos of at least three different choppers supposedly arriving in Mulanay, Quezon—the hometown of Aguirre.

He alleged that Aguirre's kin were seen "joyriding" in the helicopter while the former Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary was transacting with the people carrying the duffel bags filled with money from the pastillas scheme.

"Mahirap naman kapag dinala 'yan by land. Baka ma-holdap sila, ang laki-laking pera," Tulfo said while presenting videos and photos supposedly taken by sources in Mulanay.

Tulfo further alleged that a certain Burgos Bariata alias Boogie-Bagman was serving as Aguirre's bagman for "collections."

However, when asked how much was allegedly flown to Aguirre's hometown, Tulfo said: "Wala po akong figure pero 'yung mga tao po sa Mulanay sabi marami daw pong mga duffel bags na ibinababa. Tuwing landing po ng helicopter may duffel bags na ibinababa."

During the same hearing, Aguirre maintained that Tulfo's "baseless" accusations were fueled by personal vendetta and dirty politics.

He said these were all merely hearsays from his political rivals in the province.

Tulfo admitted that he had hard feelings against his former friend Aguirre but maintained that his exposés about the pastillas scheme were without malice.

"I will admit na may sama ako ng loob sa kaniya pero hindi na po to the extent na ibunyag ko ang mga kagaguhan niya sa Justice Department," Tulfo said.

On chopper 'joyride'

Aguirre explained the reason behind the choppers seen around his hotel in Quezon in May 2018.

"Noong May 2, 2018 pumunta si Duterte diyan... kahit ako'y wala na sa Department of Justice. Maraming helicopter diyan at 'yung iba ay nagsakayan," he said.

"Anong masama na ang mga taga-linang o taga-baryo ay pagbigyan mo man lang ng tatlong minutong nasa ere para makatikim naman sila pagka't 'yan ay bihira lang na makasakay sa helicopter. Bakit mo mamasamain 'yun?" he added.

The former DOJ chief said Tulfo should have prodded his sources in Quezon to file an affidavit if they indeed have evidence that choppers delivered kickbacks to him.

Aguirre also said he knows Bariata but denied that the latter was his bagman.

"Papaano naging bagman 'yan? Dahil may hawak na bag? Nasaan ang mga testigo mo na may pera 'yang dinadala?" he told Tulfo.

On the claim that he appointed the father and son tandem of Maynardo and Red Mariñas in the BI to oversee the visa upon arrival system in the country, Aguirre said: "I concurred with the appointment of Red Mariñas because I know him, I trusted him. He is a friend of my son."

Attacks against each other

The hearing was quite taken over by mudslinging between Aguirre and Tulfo.

"Kaya wala nang naniniwala sa'yo eh. Kaya hindi ka ni-reappoint na special envoy kuno sa China kasi ginagamit mo 'yan sa pansarili mong kapakanan," Aguirre said, referring to Tulfo.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, presiding over the inquiry, has repeatedly reminded the two not to address each other directly but when it was Tulfo's turn to speak, he rebutted Aguirre.

"Hirap na hirap kang magsalita eh. Akala ko magaling kang abugado?... Kaya nga siguro inalis ni Pangulong Digong 'yan dahil bobo 'yan," Tulfo said.

"I was never told to resign... Sinabi nang hindi ako umalis eh, I resigned," Aguirre answered.

Aguirre, who served as DOJ chief from 2016 to 2018, later on apologized to Hontiveros for directly replying to Tulfo. —KG, GMA News