FALSE: Erwin Tulfo earns ‘Doctor of Bend the Laws’ Degree

A Facebook post shared an edited photo of Senate Blue Ribbon Committee head Senator Erwin Tulfo wearing academic regalia while holding a degree of “Doctor of Bend the Law.” This comes after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM).

CLAIM:

The post implies that Tulfo holds a “Doctor of Bend the Laws Degree,” with specializations on “Advanced Loophole Engineering, Selective Justice & Technicalities, and Honorary Degree Acquisition.”

RATING:

False

CONCLUSION:

The senator did not earn or receive the title of “Doctor of Bend the Laws.” No such degree exists and the post was made as a political satire.

THE FACTS:

• He graduated from University of the East with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree.
• In September, last year, he drew criticism on social media after making a statement saying that the government should sometimes “bend the law to please the people” at a flood control hearing, which he later clarified.
• PLM conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws degree to the President, receiving mixed reactions on social media.

BOTTOMLINE:

The claim is false. The post is a political satire and should not be received as fact.