By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The local chapter of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) slammed broadcaster Ben Tulfo after he reportedly “berated and insulted” Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia on live television. In a statement by NUJP-Bacolod chairperson Marchel Espina, she said Tulfo’s actions had nothing to do with the alleged non-payment by officials over a basketball game.
“This has everything to do with Tulfo and his brand of journalism,” she insisted.
Espina called Tulfo’s “lack of ethics and respect to news sources”a “disgrace to the profession.”
She went on to characterize the broadcaster’s outburst as a “strong sense of entitlement” and referred to his “combative approach” as “plain repugnant.”
Espina also pointed out, while Tulfo’s disappointment with the city officials is “understandable,” he should “know better.”
“This doesn’t give him the right to publicly taunt a news source,” she explained.
Earlier, Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran revealed a “majority of the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP)” will caucus to consider passing a resolution declaring Tulfo as “persona non-grata,” or unwelcome, in Bacolod City.
During an episode of “Bitag,” Tulfo aired the complaints of a certain “Norma” who claimed to have not been paid for taking part in a basketball event last October in Bacolod City. Upon receiving the call, the mayor said he was unaware of the event and characterized the broadcaster was “lecturing and embarrassing” him on live TV.
The vice mayor called the allegations “all lies and half-truths” and said the event was not part of the annual MassKara Festival, which Tulfo had claimed.
He added, he was also earlier approached by “Norma” but under a different name and that her claims were different a couple months ago.
Familiaran added, the event in question was organized by the Bacolod City Police Office./DGB, WDJ