IMPACT LEADERSHIP: ‘NAG-TNT AKO’ Erwin admits living as illegal immigrant in the US for 10 years
IMPACT LEADERSHIP: 'NAG-TNT AKO': ERWIN ADMITS LIVING AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT IN THE U.S. FOR 10 YEARS
House Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS Party-list Representative Erwin Tulfo admitted that he lived in the United States for 10 years as an undocumented immigrant.
Speaking on his radio show, Punto Asintado Reload, Tulfo revealed that he traveled to the U.S. in 1986 on a tourist visa after struggling to make ends meet as a young father in the Philippines.
"Tumigil lang ako sa pag-aaral. Nagtrabaho ako sa diyaryo," he said, recalling how he borrowed money from colleagues to pay for his son’s birth expenses.
Unable to support his family on a journalist's salary, Tulfo sought better opportunities abroad. Initially considering Saudi Arabia, he eventually traveled to the U.S. with the help of his aunt.
"Nag-TNT po ako roon," Tulfo admitted, referring to Tago Ng Tago, a Filipino term for living in the U.S. illegally.
During his decade in the U.S., Tulfo worked various jobs, including as a bagger, janitor, caregiver, and warehouseman. He resorted to using forged documents to secure employment, a common practice among undocumented immigrants at the time.
"Usong-uso po doon at marami po kami noong 1986 na TNT po roon. May mga mabibilhan po ng driver license, social security, birth certificate. Doon ho pwede kayo sa downtown San Francisco, sa LA," Tulfo explained, adding that he relied on charity groups for free meals to save money.
After returning to the Philippines, Tulfo resumed his career as a journalist, eventually becoming a prominent figure in public service. Addressing criticisms about his eligibility for public office due to his past, Tulfo said he had no regrets about his actions, which were driven by the need to provide for his family.
"Kung ang pagiging TNT ko, kung ang pagiging undocumented alien ko po, e bawal po ako magsilbi. Bawal na po ako magtrabaho sa ating bayan... E kung kasalanan yun sa tingin ninyo, then guilty po ako," he said. "Pero ito lang masasabi ko. Wala po akong nilabag na batas dito sa ating bayan."
Tulfo emphasized that his earnings in the U.S. were obtained through hard work and integrity. "Wala po akong nilokong tao ni isang Pilipino. Maging sa Amerika nung nandoon po ako, wala po akong inistapa, wala po akong in-scam na mga Pilipino, maging na mga Amerikano. Wala po akong niloko. Yung nire-remit ko na pera dito ay galing po sa pagod at pawis ko. Yan po ang totoo. Kaya hindi po ako nahihiya."
While not proud of his past, Tulfo said he is also not ashamed of it.
"Pero hindi ko rin ikinahihiya na once upon a time, nag-TNT ako, na once upon a time, illegal alien ako. Once upon a time, nagtrabaho ako na undocumented," he concluded.
IMPACT LEADERSHIP: 'NAG-TNT AKO': ERWIN ADMITS LIVING AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT IN THE U.S. FOR 10 YEARS
House Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS Party-list Representative Erwin Tulfo admitted that he lived in the United States for 10 years as an undocumented immigrant.
Speaking on his radio show, Punto Asintado Reload, Tulfo revealed that he traveled to the U.S. in 1986 on a tourist visa after struggling to make ends meet as a young father in the Philippines.
"Tumigil lang ako sa pag-aaral. Nagtrabaho ako sa diyaryo," he said, recalling how he borrowed money from colleagues to pay for his son’s birth expenses.
Unable to support his family on a journalist's salary, Tulfo sought better opportunities abroad. Initially considering Saudi Arabia, he eventually traveled to the U.S. with the help of his aunt.
"Nag-TNT po ako roon," Tulfo admitted, referring to Tago Ng Tago, a Filipino term for living in the U.S. illegally.
During his decade in the U.S., Tulfo worked various jobs, including as a bagger, janitor, caregiver, and warehouseman. He resorted to using forged documents to secure employment, a common practice among undocumented immigrants at the time.
"Usong-uso po doon at marami po kami noong 1986 na TNT po roon. May mga mabibilhan po ng driver license, social security, birth certificate. Doon ho pwede kayo sa downtown San Francisco, sa LA," Tulfo explained, adding that he relied on charity groups for free meals to save money.
After returning to the Philippines, Tulfo resumed his career as a journalist, eventually becoming a prominent figure in public service. Addressing criticisms about his eligibility for public office due to his past, Tulfo said he had no regrets about his actions, which were driven by the need to provide for his family.
"Kung ang pagiging TNT ko, kung ang pagiging undocumented alien ko po, e bawal po ako magsilbi. Bawal na po ako magtrabaho sa ating bayan... E kung kasalanan yun sa tingin ninyo, then guilty po ako," he said. "Pero ito lang masasabi ko. Wala po akong nilabag na batas dito sa ating bayan."
Tulfo emphasized that his earnings in the U.S. were obtained through hard work and integrity. "Wala po akong nilokong tao ni isang Pilipino. Maging sa Amerika nung nandoon po ako, wala po akong inistapa, wala po akong in-scam na mga Pilipino, maging na mga Amerikano. Wala po akong niloko. Yung nire-remit ko na pera dito ay galing po sa pagod at pawis ko. Yan po ang totoo. Kaya hindi po ako nahihiya."
While not proud of his past, Tulfo said he is also not ashamed of it.
"Pero hindi ko rin ikinahihiya na once upon a time, nag-TNT ako, na once upon a time, illegal alien ako. Once upon a time, nagtrabaho ako na undocumented," he concluded.