‘I know how to use common sense,’ says Raffy Tulfo as he prepares for Senate work
Senator-elect Raffy Tulfo speaks with reporters before attending a legislative process briefing in the Senate on Monday, June 27, 2022. Photo by Albert Calvelo/Senate PRIB
MANILA, Philippines — As he prepares for his new role as a legislator, Senator-elect Raffy Tulfo underscored on Monday that humility is a virtue that must be embraced, especially for a neophyte like him.
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But he is not joining the 19th Congress unprepared.
On Monday, he attended a briefing on legislative processes at the Senate and has been studying at the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance ahead of Congress opening in July.
For the past few weeks now, Tulfo said he has also been gathering his staff, mainly composed of legal experts, to guide him on lawmaking.
“For me, for someone, if he wants to be a good leader, he must be humble enough na para tanggapin na hindi nya pa alam ang lahat, hindi sya magmamarunong,” he told reporters after attending the briefing.
(“For me, for someone, if he wants to be a good leader, he must be humble enough to admit that he doesn’t know everything.)
“Kaya with that, ako’y palaging nag-aaral, gusto kong matuto and I’m always listening plus I think I have those qualities—I’m a fast learner and very, very important is I know how to use common sense,” Tulfo added.
(With that, I’m always studying because I want to learn, and I’m always listening, plus I think I have those qualities—I’m a fast learner and very, very important is I know how to use common sense.)
Aside from studying and attending the briefing on lawmaking, the rookie senator is also open to getting advice from veteran lawmakers.
In fact, he said he is elated that Senator-elect Loren Legarda has already expressed a desire to “mentor” him.
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“We have so many things to learn,” the incoming senator stressed.
Legarda and Tulfo were both broadcast journalists before entering politics.
But being a media man also has its pros and cons, Tulfo noted, adding he would have to make some adjustments now that he is a legislator.
“Yung pagiging agresibo ko, siguro it will be a disadvantage kasi napaka-agresibo ko. Gusto ko agad-agad pero naisip ko ngayon, lately, hindi na dahil politician na ako kailangan medyo sumayaw tayo sa tugtog. Hindi mo makukuha yun agad agad.”
(My aggressive character might be a disadvantage because I want to do things right away. But when I think about it lately, now that I’m a politician, I need to “dance with the music.”)
“So yun siguro ang gagawin kong pagbabago na adjustment na hindi pwedeng right there and then, I want it right now or I want it yesterday. Hindi na pwedeng ganun kelangan ng may prosesong sinusunod,” he said.
(So that’s the adjustment that I will make. I can’t do things right there and then, I want it right now, or I wanted it yesterday. I need to follow the process.)
Tulfo will formally assume as a senator on June 30.
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JMS/abc
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