A petition seeking the disqualification of Tulfo family members running for elective positions in the upcoming midterm elections was filed before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on Monday.
In the petition, Atty. Virgilio Garcia urged the poll body to disqualify several members of the Tulfo family, including senatorial candidates ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo and broadcast journalist Ben Tulfo; reelectionist in the House of Representatives ACT-CIS Rep. Jocelyn Pua-Tulfo and Quezon City Rep. Ralph Tulfo; and Wanda Tulfo Teo, the nominee for the Turismo party-list, from running in the upcoming elections.
Erwin, Ben, and Wanda are siblings, while Jocelyn and Ralph are the wife and son, respectively, of Raffy Tulfo, an incumbent senator and another member of the Tulfo family.
READ: Magkapatid na sina Senatorial candidates Erwin Tulfo at Ben Tulfo, at tatlo pa nilang kamag-anak pinapa-disqualify sa @COMELEC | RH 29 @boy_gonzales, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/MIQzuOj4s4
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) February 17, 2025
Garcia argued that the Tulfos represent a political dynasty, which is prohibited under the 1987 Constitution.
"The 1987 Constitution prohibits this anomalous monopolistic concentration of political power in one family, such that Article II, Section 26 provides “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law," the petition read.
Moreover, Garcia claimed that the second point of the petition is that the Tulfos are not natural-born Filipinos.
It should be noted that Erwin Tulfo was previously barred from assuming office as secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) due to questions surrounding his citizenship.
Speaking with DZRH on Tuesday, Garcia conveyed hope for the petition's success but admitted he isn't very optimistic.
The Tulfos have yet to address the issue.
