Cong Erwin: Senator Raffy does not want to run for president in 2028

Senator Raffy Tulfo does not want to run for president in 2028, his brother and House Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS party-list lawmaker Erwin Tulfo said Thursday.

Erwin was responding to the latest Pulse Asia poll showing Raffy in a statistical tie with Vice President Sara Duterte among 2028 presidential polls preferences.

“Napag-usapan ‘yan [kung ano nasa survey], and he said no,” Representative Tulfo told reporters when asked if himself and his senator-brother have talked about the latest Pulse Asia results.

[It has been talked about and he said no.]

“He does not want to [run for president] because it is a major, major headache,” he added.

GMA News Online reached out to Senator Raffy's camp to get his reaction but has yet to receive a reply as of posting time.

Tugon ng Masa

Erwin and even their another brother, broadcaster Ben Tulfo, also topped the OCTA Research Tugon ng Masa survey on preferred Senate bets for the 2025 midterm polls.

Erwin ranked first in the field with 58%, while his brother Ben finished fourth with 43%.

Erwin, however, said he is not thinking of a Senate bid at this point.

“I’m happy where I am right now: in Congress. Actually, when you look at it, we have the same job. Laws passed in the House need to be passed by the Senate as well. So, what for [is a Senate run],” he said.

“I will just continue with what I am doing right now. ” he added in an interview held after his meeting with the officials of toll operators in the aftermath of the massive traffic jam before the Lenten break.

Asked if he is considering a run for a higher position by 2028, Erwin likewise said it is not on the table yet.

“Hindi pa rin ho [by 2028]. Baka magkita pa rin tayo rito [sa House of Representatives,” he said.

[Maybe we'll be seeing each other here in the House of Representatives.]

“2028 is very, very, far. There are a lot of problems that need to be solved right now instead of thinking about the elections,” he pointed out.

In the same interview, Erwin said his brother Ben was surprised to be included and thought the survey firm was testing the waters if adding another Tulfo to the mix will affect the results.

“When I talked to him, he was surprised that he was included. Maybe they were testing...having an experiment, because [Senators and brothers JV and Jinggoy in the past, someone lost when both of them were running in the same election,” he said.

“Maybe they were testing if the same will happen to us but it did not have the same effect,” he added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News