Tulfo Brothers on T3: Hecklers or Heroes?

       Many of us know that the Tulfo brothers are known for their tough and badass persona especially when it comes to criticizing and attacking corrupt bullies. I'm sure that some of us have already heard their straightforward and hard-hitting comments against people on television. The Tulfo brothers are what we call "big brothers" who stand up and speak up for people who are presumed weak to defend themselves; others refer to the brothers as modern day heroes. But when does one cross the line between speaking up and shaming another person?

       "T3", airing 12:30 pm on TV5 allows profane language from the three Tulfo brothers -- words like "tanga", "bobo", "inutil", and "walang kwenta" are heard from time to time. These words are not supposed to be used by a public figure or specifically, a media practitioner. This is also a violation of the KBP Broadcast code Article 27, Section 1 stating that "vulgar, obscene, or indecent language is prohibited". These banters are used by the brothers to "defend" helpless citizens who have been victims of all sorts of abuse. The brothers insult and challenge those who allegedly committed the wrongdoings. By only knowing one side of a story, the brothers play god and think they have the authority to reprimand the people on the other side. 

       The Tulfo brothers also fail to consider their audience. They have failed to think that children may also be watching their show. In an episode aired on July 24, 2014, a woman who was beaten up by an engineer was featured. Aside from describing the engineer as "napakababang uri ng lalaki" and "mas masahol pa sa ipis" (also a violation of Article 27, Section 3 stating that "name-calling and personal insults are prohibited") Raffy Tulfo challenged the engineer by saying "Alam mo kung gusto mo ng bugbugan, pagbibigyan naman kita kahit na mas bata ka sa akin eh. Gusto mo?” They also said foul words like "jumejebs" and to think that the show is airing at lunch time is just wrong. The said episode also showed pictures of the woman after she was beaten without censoring it which violates Article 6, Section 13 where "images that are gruesome, revolting, shocking, obscene, scandalous, or extremely disturbing or offensive, shall not be shown or described in graphic detail."

       Media is indispensable and a vehicle of information at the same time that holds ethical standards. As public figures, the Tulfo brothers should have known better than saying hard-hitting words and libelous comments on air; even if the person they are attacking did something bad.

The Tulfo brothers' program, "T3", is said to provide and strengthen public service but I say otherwise -- the show strengthens their "macho" image, declares their strength to beat some guy up, and boosts their familial ego.

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