Rep. Tulfo respects right to file DQ cases: I’m ready to answer issues
Rep. Erwin Tulfo (FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — Senatorial candidate and ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo has assured the public that he is ready to answer issues raised in disqualification cases against him, adding that he respects the people’s right to file these complaints.
Tulfo in a statement on Wednesday said that his camp has not received a copy of the complaint filed by a certain Berteni Cataluña Causing and Graft-free Philippine Foundation, Inc., which was represented by Diosdado Villar Calonge.
“Ang kopya ng disqualification case na isinampa laban sa akin ng isang Berteni Causing ay hindi pa opisyal na natanggap ng aming kampo,” Tulfo said.
(Our camp has yet to officially receive a copy of the disqualification case filed against me by a certain Berteni Causing.)
“Ngunit bilang bahagi ng proseso ng hustisya na umiiral sa ating bansa ay nakahanda po akong sagutin itong kaso na isinampa ni Causing, na isang abogadong tinanggalan ng lisensiya at idineklarang panggulo lang, o nuisance candidate sa darating na 2025 senatorial election,” he added.
(But as part of the prevailing processes for justice in our country, we are ready to answer any case filed by Causing, a lawyer whose license was stripped and was declared a nuisance candidate for this upcoming 2025 senatorial election.)
Earlier, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) confirmed that this disqualification case — the second already against Tulfo — was filed on Tuesday. Comelec however declined to give details regarding the grounds of disqualification raised by the complainant.
READ: Erwin Tulfo faces another disqualification case, says Comelec
Tulfo said he is leaving the fate of these cases up to the Comelec.
“Iginagalang ko po ang kanyang karapatang magsampa ng reklamo at ipinauubaya ko sa Comelec ang paghusga. Maraming salamat,” he added.
(I respect the people’s right to file cases and I leave it up to the Comelec to judge. Thank you very much.)
Last February 17, Comelec also announced that a disqualification case was filed against Tulfo; his brother, broadcaster Ben Tulfo; and three other members of their family who are running for elective posts in the 2025 midterm elections.
Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said the case was filed by Virgilio Garcia — opponent of Tulfo’s nephew and Senator Raffy Tulfo’s son, Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo.
READ: Comelec: Disqualification case filed vs Tulfo brothers, 3 kin
When he filed his certificate of candidacy last October 4, 2024, Virgilio Garcia said that if he wins against Rep. Ralph, he will file a bill that defines political dynasties, so that there will be an enabling law against it.
READ: Obscure QC House hopeful wants end to political dynasties
Also named in the complaints were Rep. Ralph, Senator Tulfo’s wife and ACT-CIS Rep. Jocelyn Pua-Tulfo, and Turismo party-list nominee and former Tourism secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo.
The petitioner said he filed the disqualification plea as the Tulfos are a political dynasty already — which the 1987 Constitution disallows.
Rep. Erwin is currently leading different surveys for the 2025 polls. According to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, Tulfo garnered the most votes if elections were held in February 2025, with 45 percent of the respondents picking him.
Ben Tulfo meanwhile ranks fifth.
READ: SWS survey: Tulfo, 7 other administration bets in Senate top 12
In case both Erwin and Ben win in the 2025 polls, there will be three Tulfos in the 24-person Senate. Meanwhile, if both Rep. Jocelyn, Rep. Ralph, and former secretary Wanda emerge victorious from their own battles, the number of Tulfos in Congress may swell up to six — three in the Senate and three in the House of Representatives.
