MANILA — Sen. Erwin Tulfo said a proposed investigation by the Senate Committee of the Whole into the May 13 shooting incident inside the Senate would not be a conflict of interest, stressing that a broader probe would be more appropriate given the number of offices involved.

In an interview on Unang Balita, Tulfo said the incident should not be limited to a single committee since multiple Senate units and personnel may be involved.

“Hindi naman, Igan. Mas maganda nga po yun kasi parang saan i-a-assign? Yan po ba ay sa Blue Ribbon lang? Yan ba ay sa Peace and Order? So, mas maganda po yun dahil marami pong involved eh. Pati yung pagbibili namin ng armas, yung mga armas na ginamit eh, Committee on Finance po yun. So, mas maganda. Lahat na lang po kami. Lahat naman po kami mukhang may mga katanungan both sa majority at sa minority, Igan,” he said.

Tulfo was also asked about allegations earlier raised against the minority bloc, including claims that some senators already knew about the incident before it happened. He said the explanation for their early departure was due to changes in Senate scheduling.

“Kasi nga po, ang sinasabi nila eh, maaga po kaming umalis pero ang reality po niyan Igan, may anunsyo the day before na may caucus, ika nga, of all members, minority and majority. And the following day, noong hapon po nang bago magputukan, ginawa na lang po ni SP Cayetano na caucus of the majority. So umuwi na po kami dahil hindi naman po kami kasama,” he said.

Tulfo also addressed the emotional reaction of Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairperson Sen. Pia Cayetano, who earlier said no one from the minority checked on them during the incident.

“Yung kanyang emosyon po ay siguro po dala po ng takot, pero nung sinabi niya po na wala pong nangumusta, meron po kaming ika nga, chat group po sa WhatsApp… Meron po, nagpadala po ng message po si, kita po doon, si Sen. Kiko, Sen. Bam, Sen. Sherwin, pati ako po,” he said.

Tulfo said messages were exchanged in the group, including one he sent at around 9:57 p.m., adding that Sen. Camille responded with assurance that they were safe. He said he sent a personal message saying: “Praying for all of you.”

He also said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have clarified that the Senate was not under attack, based on available video footage.

“Base po doon sa video, Igan, mukhang hindi naman po,” he said, adding that initial reports suggested the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms may have fired first, which he said warrants investigation.

Tulfo stressed the need for a formal inquiry, saying conflicting accounts from the Executive branch and other sources should be reconciled.

“Mas maganda po siguro magkakaroon po ng imbestigasyon… para makapagtanong,” he said.

On the issue involving Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, Tulfo said the Senate is waiting for guidance from Senate leadership following the Supreme Court’s action on the request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) related to the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.

He also addressed questions involving Sen. Robin Padilla, saying the matter should be handled first by the majority bloc and Senate leadership.

Tulfo added that the Senate is preparing for the impeachment trial scheduled to begin on July 6, noting the session and trial schedule set by the chamber.

He also said he would not support proposals allowing an impeachment court senator-judge to vote without being physically present, saying presence in the Senate is necessary under current conditions.