FACT CHECK: Video of Tulfos admitting flood control payoff is AI-generated

Claim: Senators Erwin and Raffy Tulfo received a suitcase containing a cash payoff for their alleged involvement in the flood control corruption scheme.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The video bearing the claim was posted on June 3, 2026, and has since garnered over 464,000 views, 34,500 reactions, 1,400 comments, and 8,640 shares. The video features the text “Masterminds of corruption” overlaid on footage of the Tulfo brothers.

In the video, Raffy asks, “Kuya, paano na ‘to? Malalaman ng taong bayan na nakatanggap tayo ng maleta” (Brother, what do we do now? The public will find out that we received a suitcase payoff), to which Erwin replied, “Hindi ko alam, kausapin natin si Tito Sen” (I don’t know, let’s talk to Tito Sen).

The latter part of the video also showed Marcos saying, “Ituloy mo ang mga kaso nila Jinggoy, Chiz, at Joel Villanueva para maubos sila dyan sa majority” (Continue the cases against Jinggoy, Chiz, and Joel Villanueva so they will be wiped out from the majority). Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla replied, “Nakahanda na, Boss” (It is ready, Boss), and Marcos responded, “Very good. May maleta ka bukas” (Very good. You will get a suitcase tomorrow).

The video was posted by the Facebook page, “Duterte Supporters,” which is labeled as a “fan page only.” The page has over 876,000 followers and consistently posts pro-Duterte content.

The facts: The video is fake and was generated using artificial intelligence (AI). An analysis using DeCopy’s AI image analysis software, an online tool that flags manipulated media, revealed a 98% probability that the viral footage was AI-generated.

In an interview on One News’ StoryCon, Raffy debunked the claims, calling them a “demolition job” by the Cayetano-led bloc.

“If you noticed, the two vice chairs ng blue ribbon nina Alan ay may mga kaso rin. Si Jinggoy, tsaka si Marcoleta. Kay Erwin ay bintang lamang at part ng kanilang demolition job. In fact, I talked to Erwin right away and called him up and he said that’s not true… galit na galit siya,” Raffy said.

(If you noticed, the two vice chairs of the blue ribbon committee of the Alan-led bloc have impending cases. Jinggoy and Marcoleta have cases. Erwin’s is just an allegation and a part of the demolition job. In fact, I talked to Erwin right away and called him up and he said it’s not true…he’s really mad about it). 

The video was posted after Erwin was appointed the new Senate Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) chairperson on June 3, 2026. His appointment followed the surprise appearance of Senator Chiz Escudero, which made it possible to declare a quorum after a days-long absence by the Cayetano-led bloc. The session also led to the election of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate president pro tempore and acting Senate president.

On the same day, Erwin announced that the BRC hearing for the flood control probe would be moved to Monday, June 8, to give the new members of the committee ample time to prepare (TIMELINE: Coups, gunshots, and standoff in the 2026 Senate mess). 

No flood control case: There are no official reports from the Senate BRC or cases filed by the Ombudsman linking either Raffy or Erwin to the alleged flood control scheme.

Erwin has only been implicated in the controversy through allegations made by 18 alleged former security aides of former House Appropriations Chairperson Zaldy Co, who are reportedly ex-marines (FACT CHECK: Tulfo pokes holes in 5 claims by Zaldy Co’s 18 alleged ex-bodyguards). 

Erwin, however, denied the claims, calling them a “blatant lie.” He pointed out that his name does not appear in the General Appropriations Acts (GAA) from 2022 to 2026, clarifying that he did not receive any projects during those years — making it impossible for him to receive kickbacks from the flood control projects alleged by the 18 ex-security aides.

As of writing, the only senators currently linked to the flood control controversies are Senators Chiz Escudero, Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Estrada, and Mark Villar (LIST: Officials barred from leaving the Philippines over flood control cases). – Reinnard Balonzo/Rappler.com 

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