Disposition on DQ case vs Tulfo brothers, kin out on Monday – Comelec

Commission of Elections Chair George Erwin Garcia — INQUIRER file photo / LYN RILLON

MANILA, Philippines — The disposition on the disqualification case filed against senatorial candidates Erwin and Ben Tulfo and three others for the 2025 elections will be out next Monday, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia said on Wednesday.

“Safe to say that there will be an order to be released by the division by Monday,” Garcia told reporters.

The disqualification case was previously raffled to the Comelec first division.

Garcia explained that the disposition, or the order, may either issue summons to the respondents to proceed with hearing the case or it can decide if the case will be dismissed outright if there are defects seen in the petition.

READ: Comelec: Disqualification case filed vs Tulfo brothers, 3 kin

The other respondents in the disqualification case are ACT-CIS Rep. Jocelyn Pua-Tulfo, Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo, and Turismo Party-list nominee Wanda Tulfo-Teo.

Petitioner Virgilio Garcia argued that the respondents being members of what he deemed as a political dynasty is grounds for disqualification for the May 2025 elections.

Further, Garcia reminded that petitions filed must adhere to the guidelines and rules set by the poll body.

“Napakaimportante ng bawat period sapagkat kapag ang period ay di sinunod ay jurisdictional. Ibig sabihin kung hindi nasunod ang period pwedeng kaagad madismiss ang kaso dahil sa hindi magkakaroon ng jurisdiction ang komisyon,” Garcia noted.

(Every period is very important because it is jurisdictional if not followed. Meaning, if the period is now followed, the case can be dismissed because the commission will not have jurisdiction.)

READ: Erwin Tulfo faces another disqualification case, says Comelec

He added that petitions will be dismissed if they don’t contain necessary attachments or if they are not verified.