Senator Raffy Tulfo on Wednesday credited Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Joel Villanueva for preventing a potential national destabilization by joining the majority bloc to support newly elected Senate President Win Gatchalian.
According to Tulfo, the decision of the two lawmakers effectively broke a monthlong leadership impasse that had paralyzed legislative operations and fractured the Senate into opposing factions.
“Gusto ko lang i-emphasize na ang hero talaga rito ay (sina) Senator Chiz Escudero at saka si Senator Joel Villanueva,” Tulfo said.
The former broadcaster warned that the prolonged deadlock posed a significant threat to both the upper chamber and national security, citing warnings from contacts within the intelligence community.
“Had it not been for them, the future of the Senate is going to be murky. And even the country, kasi meron akong kaibigan sa intelligence community who told me na slowly but surely, it is leading to destabilization,” he added.
The remarks followed a special session where Gatchalian was unanimously elected as the chamber’s new leader.
Tulfo noted that prior to the resolution, there were active attempts by certain groups to exploit the political division and stir public unrest.
With the leadership dispute settled, Tulfo expressed relief over the outcome.
“Pero ngayon, well, let’s be magnanimous in victory. So, happy ako, happy lahat, happy ang taumbayan,” he said.
When questioned about how Villanueva was persuaded to realign with the majority, Tulfo clarified that he was not privy to the direct negotiations but shared what he had gathered from colleagues.
“So all of a sudden, tinamaan daw siya ata ng konsensya. Gusto na niya matapos na itong problema,” he said.