Irwin and Laffey debunked that claim, calling it a “blatant lie” and a “sabotage” effort orchestrated by the Cayetano-led bloc.
Claim: Sen. Irwin and Sen. Raffy Tulfo received suitcases of cash for their alleged involvement in a flood control corruption scheme.
Rating: False
Why we fact-checked this: The video making this claim was posted on June 3, 2026, and has since received more than 464,000 views, 34,500 reactions, 1,400 comments, and 8,640 shares. The video shows the text “Masterpiece of Corruption” superimposed on footage of the Tulfo brothers.
In the video, Raffy asks:Kuya, paano na to? Malalaman ng taong bayan na nakatangapu tayong maleta“(Brother, what are you going to do now? The world will find out that you received the suitcase reward)” Erwin answered.Hindi Ko Alam, Kausapin Natin Si Tito Sen” (I don’t know, let’s talk to Tito Sen).
In the second half of the video, Marcos says:Ituroy mo ang mga caso nila jingoy, chizu, joel villanueva para maubos sila dian sa majority.(Continue the case against Jinggoy, Chiz, and Joel Villanueva so they can be wiped out of the majority.) Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remura responded:Naka solder, boss.“(I’m ready, boss),” Marcos replied.Very good. May maleta ka bukas“(Very nice. The suitcase will arrive tomorrow.)”
This video was posted on our Facebook page.Duterte supporter” is displayed.Fan page only.The page has more than 876,000 followers and consistently posts pro-Duterte content.
fact: This video is fake and was generated using artificial intelligence (AI). Analysis using DeCopy’s AI image analysis software, an online tool that flags manipulated media, revealed that there was a 98% chance that the viral footage was generated by AI.
In an interview at One News’ Storycon, Rafie debunked the claims and called it a “sabotage” by the Cayetano-led bloc.
“Before I knew it, the two vice-chairmen were Blue Ribbon Nina Alan Ai May Ga Kaso Lin. Si Jinggoi, Tsaka Si Marcoleta. Kay Erwin Ai Bintang Raman is involved in the demolition work of Kani Lang. In fact, I spoke to Erwin right away and called him and he said it wasn’t true… Galit na Galit Siya” said Raffy.
(As you may have noticed, the two vice-chairmen of the Bloc’s Blue Ribbon Committee, led by Alan, have pressing cases. Jinggoy and Marcoleta also have cases. Irwin’s case is just an allegation, part of the demolition work. In fact, I spoke to Irwin right away and called him, and he said it wasn’t true…he’s really angry about it.)
The video was posted after Mr. Irwin was appointed as the new chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) on June 3, 2026. His appointment followed a surprise appearance by Sen. Chiz Escudero, allowing Cayetano’s bloc to declare a quorum after several days of absence. The meeting also elected Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore and Senate President Pro Tempore.
On the same day, Irwin announced that the BRC hearing on the flood control study would be rescheduled to Monday, June 8, to give the committee’s new members sufficient time to prepare. (Timeline: Coup, Gunshots, and Standoff in 2026 Senate Chaos)
No flood control cases: There is no official report from the Senate BRC or the case filed by the Ombudsman linking Mr. Rafie and Mr. Irwin to the alleged flood control project.
Irwin has been implicated in this controversy only through allegations by 18 former Marines who are alleged to be former security aides of the Zaldi Company (Fact check: Tulfo pokes holes in five claims by 18 alleged former bodyguards of the Zaldi Company).
However, Erwin denied the claim, calling it a “blatant lie.” He pointed out that his name is not on the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2022 to 2026 and clarified that he has not received any projects during that period, making it impossible for him to receive rebates from flood control projects claimed by 18 former security aides.
As of this writing, the only senators currently involved in the flood control controversy are Sens. Chiz Escudero, Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Estrada, and Mark Villar (list of officials banned from leaving the Philippines over flood control issues). – Reynard Baronzo/Rappler.com
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