Erwin Tulfo welcomes Comelec’s dismissal of second disqualification case
ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo (FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — Senatorial candidate and ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo has welcomed the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) dismissal of the second disqualification case filed against him, saying the poll body showed commitment to upholding the law.
The Comelec First Division said the second petition to disqualify Tulfo from the 2025 elections stemmed from the failure to provide the respondent with a copy-furnished petition.
“Ang desisyong ito ng Comelec ay muling nagpapatunay ng mariin nitong pagbabantay para sa isang tapat, patas at may integridad na pagpapatupad ng mga batas hinggil sa halalan,” Tulfo said in a statement.
(The Comelec’s decision once again proves its firm commitment to ensuring an honest, fair, and integrity-driven implementation of election laws.)
READ: Comelec junks 2nd disqualification case against Erwin Tulfo
He also expressed gratitude to his legal team for assisting him in his disqualification case.
“I also thank my legal team, led by Atty. Karen Jimeno, for their tireless assistance for me to get through this case,” he said.
The second petition was filed by disbarred lawyer Berteni Cataluña Causing and Graft-free Philippine Foundation Incorporated represented by Diosdado Villar Calonge.
The petitioners said Tulfo shall be disqualified from the 2025 Senate race on the grounds of moral turpitude due to his conviction of four counts of libel; citizenship; being a member of a political dynasty; and failure to prove academic qualifications.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia on Thursday said the grounds for the dismissal of the second disqualification case are similar to that of the first case.
READ: Senatorial aspirant Erwin Tulfo on political dynasty: Let the people decide
The first disqualification case was filed against Erwin, Ben Tulfo, ACT-CIS Rep. Jocelyn Pua-Tulfo, Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo, and Turismo Party-list nominee Wanda Tulfo-Teo by Virgilio Garcia.
Petitioner Garcia said the 1987 Constitution prohibits political dynasties.
However, Congress has yet to pass an anti-political dynasty law.
