Judge bars Tulfo brods from approaching Raymart, Claudine

MANILA, Philippines - A judge has barred the Tulfo brothers from coming within 500 meters of Raymart Santiago and Claudine Barretto following the threats allegedly made by the brothers against the couple on national television.

Judge Bayani Vargas of the Regional Trial Court Branch 219 in Quezon City issued the temporary protection order sought by the couple against Erwin, Raffy and Ben Tulfo.

In a four-page order issued yesterday, Vargas said the remarks allegedly made by the brothers on their television program on TV5 “engender a well-founded belief that the right to life, liberty and security of the petitioners was allegedly violated or threatened with violation by an unlawful act or omission of the respondents.”

The couple had filed a petition for a writ of amparo against T3 hosts Raffy, Ben, and Erwin in which they also appealed for a temporary protection against the brothers and police escorts to guard them.

With the TPO, which is a temporary relief, now issued, the main case for the writ of amparo will still proceed. According to Vargas, the TPO is considered “effective immediately unless revoked by order of this court.”

The couple filed the case following an episode of the TV program in which the latter allegedly threatened them following an airport brawl the couple figured in with columnist Ramon Tulfo.

The judge also ordered the Tulfo brothers to file a written answer containing “lawful defenses” to show they did not violate the couple’s rights.

“A general denial of the allegations in the petition shall not be allowed,” Vargas said.