Patricia Mae Nicanor International Negotiations and

Communications
ABFS 301 Mr. Jumel G.
Estranero

Tulfo Justice System: The Effect of ‘Raffy Tulfo in Action’ Show to the Views of Filipino
Youth on Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

I. INTRODUCTION

The show, ‘Raffy Tulfo in Action,’ has succeeded in capturing the public's attention and
their desire for justice as well as amusement. The show's popularity on TV and on different
social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and, most notably, YouTube, goes beyond
amusement among Filipinos, particularly the youth. People's proclivity for turning to the show
illustrates how it has evolved as a means of obtaining justice. Wanted sa Radyo established a
website called Raffy Tulfo in Action in July 2016, which includes cases from WSR as well as
instances from the spin-off program Itimbre Mo kay Tulfo on Aksyon sa Tanghali. The show's
video feed is streamed live on Radyo5's Facebook page, and a recording of the day's broadcast
is available on the ‘Raffy Tulfo in Action’ YouTube channel. Video excerpts of how some of the
cases were resolved, as well as off-air chats between the parties, can be found on the social
media pages.

Tulfo's no-nonsense style and interrogation, sometimes tinged with profanity, is

frequently emphasized on the show, which investigates and exposes incidents of abuse,
dishonesty, exploitation, and family problems. The show's most prevalent element is when
viewers tell Tulfo about their problems and ask for help to fix them. Tulfo invites the opposing
party to speak on the air to hear their side of the story and encourages both parties to converse
on the radio. Tulfo may, in rare occasions, come to the conclusion that the complainant is the
one who did something wrong and, as a result, refuse to provide any more aid. Tulfo may, in
certain circumstances, take action against the complainant himself. Tulfo may contact someone
in a position to further aid the offended party after hearing all sides of the tale. During the show,
four sets of complainants are highlighted on average.

The Filipino people's desire to attend the abovementioned show rather than follow the
proper due process in settling disagreement has been going on for years in the Philippines. With

1
this in mind, the researcher aims to investigate the impact of the ‘Raffy Tulfo in Action' show on
Filipino youth's perspectives on negotiation and conflict resolution, given that the show has
become a go-to for many troubled Filipinos, not to mention the millions of viewers and
supporters it has amassed over time.

II. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The researcher seeks to answer the following questions:

1. How does the show, ‘Raffy Tulfo in Action,’ affect the views of Filipino youth on
negotiation and conflict resolution?
2. How do troubled Filipinos claim justice through being in contact with ‘Raffy Tulfo in
Action’ show?
3. What is the cause of the show's growing popularity among Filipino youth?

III. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES

Tulfo Justice System

After video of an off-duty cop fatally shooting an elderly mother and her son became
viral, social media exploded. When a lawbreaker is also a law enforcement officer, some
individuals consider broadcaster Raffy Tulfo as a possible solution. Tulfo carries on his family's
tradition of public service through action. It's a path established by their eldest brother, Mon
Tulfo, who slammed government inefficiency in his long-running newspaper column. On free TV
and YouTube, Raffy tackles the same ills (Eugeno, 2020). Netizens drew his attention to
Corporal Jonel Nuezca, the culprit in the viral shooting, who could face charges of double
homicide in the deaths of Sonya and Frank Anthony Gregorio in Paniqui, Tarlac, on Sunday.
This is done by using the hashtag "#Tulfo" to remark on footage of the actual shooting that
concerned Filipinos have shared on Facebook. Raffy Tulfo was looked up to by the internet
community for his role in bringing justice to the incident. According to analysts, people's desire
to resort to the show demonstrates how it has evolved as an alternate vehicle for obtaining
justice. It has done it in a "free, quick, and convenient" manner. Parties can avoid pricey lawyers
and court fees in the so-called Court of Raffy Tulfo, according to lawyer JC Tejano of Sentro ng
Alternatibong Lingap Panligal (SALIGAN). They also find resolution in just one episode (maybe

2
two or three in other circumstances), rather than having to attend years and years of court
hearings where, by the way, they are rarely even heard because lawyers often speak in a
language they do not understand. Parties don't even have to "attend" the event; they can do it
over the phone or by video call, which is even more appealing in this era (Tejano, 2020). That
would be the case for many Filipinos who would forego due process in order to seek instant
justice on-air, in the form of a radio show trial by publicity hosted by an influential Anchorman
who has become a household name for assisting thousands of oppressed Filipinos denied
social justice and human rights.

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

As calls for Raffy Tulfo to intervene got louder on social media, critics of the show grew
louder, as netizens decried the show's lack of due process. The media's role in resolving
disputes hasn't always been a delicate balance of ratings and public service. It arose from a
desire to make legal representation more available to citizens in a country where the judicial
system has been criticized for being inaccessible, particularly to the poor. Disenfranchised
individuals, predictably and regrettably, turn to the media, particularly broadcast media, with its
built-in benefit of national reach and felt sense of closeness. Such is the undeniable appeal of
radio and television shows like "Raffy Tulfo in Action," which many among the aggrieved
masses regard as their last hope, their only source of retribution in a world where might is often
right and can only be matched by the equal might of a blustering media personality.

Tulfo, dressed as The Equalizer, takes on the police, politicians, and priests’ people who
are typically held in high respect by polite society and subject them to loud hectoring, bullying,
and public shaming, all in the name of providing vicarious relief to his disgruntled guests. Rather
than face more verbal abuse, Tulfo's victims always agree to Tulfo's rants, regardless of
whether the proceedings are illegal or circumvent official channels. What matters for them is
immediate justice. As a result, “Isumbong mo kay Tulfo” has become a common phrase among
the impoverished, as well as a symbol of the country's broken legal system. Detractors have
compared the on-air lashing to a publicity trial, a witch hunt, or mob justice. Melita Limjuco, a
teacher, may characterize it as the lesser of two evils in the choice between her employment
and her reputation.

In 2019, hundreds of people queue outside TV5 to submit a complaint with Raffy
Tulfo in Action. For many of them, the program is their final hope and the only way to achieve
true justice in the Philippines. (Lao, 2019) When people began saying "Ipapa-Tulfo mo" or

3
"Ipapa-Tulfo Kita," it means immediate justice or the "Tulfo Justice" that people believe they
deserve. People nowadays may be tired and weary of a 'Justice delayed is justice denied'
system; a system that is expensive and generates too much stress. For some, being preferred
by their idol for whatever grievance they may have against someone could have been more
successful. That 'Instant justice' approach might just be enough to make them feel victorious
because justice was served properly. (Cusay, 2019) Moreover, many people may be unable to
access alternative conflict resolution; small claims courts may still be frightening; and the
katarungang pambarangay still has a lot of potential for improvement in terms of staff and
officials' capacity (Tejano, 2020).

IV. METHODOLOGY
This study employed a descriptive methodology to acquire a better understanding of the
impact of the ‘Raffy Tulfo in Action' show on Filipino youth. The researcher used data and
information from easily accessible sources such as articles, journals, studies, and other internet
sources to properly and critically examine the issue and reach a substantive conclusion.

V. SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The ‘Raffy in Tulfo’ show makes people question what happened to our legal system in
the Philippines? The Barangay's mediation and conciliation process, or even a simple official
complaint filed with a government agency? Or how about launching a lawsuit in a court of law to
seek justice? The persons who sought 'Tulfo Justice' could be among the thousands of Filipinos
who believe the Tulfo is the modern-day 'Sumbungan ng Bayan' or 'Barangay-on-Air,' and that
they are actually heard and served justice instantly and without charge.

Mr. Raffy Tulfo, the protagonist of this show, would aid the poor and oppressed with their
problems by summoning the other party or a government agency official to the show to discuss
the issue. These disagreements would inevitably be settled through settlement in one of two
ways: either the parties accept Mr. Tulfo's wisdom, or the opposing party would be browbeaten
and forced into submission if they refused to accept his learned view on legal subjects.
(Cordero, 2020) The necessity for lawyers and law enforcement agencies had been superseded
by this go-to remedy. People are now clamoring for a quick trial. People desire to have their
grievances heard and favored. Tulfo is seen as the face of the Philippine Justice System by

4
many Filipino people, not the police complaint desk, the Barangay justice system, or even the
higher judicial court justice system.

Alternative Dispute Resolution as a Recommendation

As a recommendation by the researcher, other forms of alternative conflict resolution,

such as the katarungang pambarangay system, small claims courts, and alternative conflict
resolution, have been developed on paper to avoid having to go through the traditional court
system and engage lawyers for legal problems. In addition to this, the youth must be informed
about the legit due process in resolving a conflict and that their education must as well be
strengthened especially in the context of the branches of the government.

MESSAGE TO MY PROFESSOR

Firstly, I would like to thank you, Sir, for the genuine consideration and patience you
gave to the whole FS 301 class. You have been great with us, and I cannot thank you enough
on how you handled us well this semester. I am happy that we all officially chose to bury the
issue that took place between us in the past, and I find it touching that we just decided to move
along past it for we still have so much to experience in the future. Secondly, I am sincerely
thanking you for all wisdom you bestowed on us regardless of the settings – in class or in the
form of Facebook chatting. It has been fun joining your virtual classes, from our singing and
chikahan sessions. Lastly, I thank you, again, for being a good person. Since we are friends on
Facebook, I get to see your other version aside from being a professor. I see that you are a
good son, cool uncle, and a talented artist. Thank you for showing us your artworks. You are
indeed multi-talented, Sir. You are beyond blessed and may God continue blessing you. Good
riddance, Sir Jumel!

References
Cordero, E. (2020). Raffy Tulfo In Action and the Rise of Extra-Legal Remedies in the
Philippines.
Cusay, D. (2019). The Tulfo Justice and Why That Should Bother Us.
Eugeno, A. (2020). Why Raffy Tulfo Means Justice for the Filipino Everyman.

5
Lao, G. (2019). The Tulfos are the face of Philippine Justice, and that should bother us.