Erwin Tulfo on DQ case: No Anti-Dynasty law yet in PH

ACT CIS party-list Representative Erwin Tulfo underscored Tuesday that there is no existing law yet as regards banning political dynasty in the country.

At a press briefing of the Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidates, Tulfo was asked for his comment on the disqualification case lodged against him and some of his family members.

“Una po wala pa po ako natatanggap na notice/subpoena from the Commission on Elections, nalaman ko lang po sa barbero kahapon. Siya po ‘yung nakabasa sa social media. Mahilig po ‘yan eh si Joey Manalang, kaya lang po matagal ko nang ‘di nabibisita… Siya po ang nagsabi na may nag file daw na isang tatang na nagfile ng kaso ng disqualification sa ‘ming magkakapatid,” Tulfo said.

(First of all, I have yet to receive a notice or subpoena from the Commission on Elections. I only learned of it through my barber yesterday. He read it on social media. I haven't visited him but he was the one who told me that an elderly filed a disqualification case against us siblings.]

“Tama naman daw po ‘yung sinabi ni tatang na sina-cite daw po ‘yung Article 26 ng Constitution na sinasabi nga po prohibits political dynasty. Nakalimutan lang daw po ni tatang na ilagay, mukhang pinutol niya, eh sinasabi po kasi dun ‘may be defined by law.’ Unfortunately wala po tayong law, ‘yun ho sinasabi niya…” he added.

[The elderly man was right, citing Article 26 of the 1987 Constitution which mentions prohibition of political dynasty. But he might have forgotten to include .. may be defined by law. Unfortuntely, we don't have a law.]

Tulfo was referring to Article II, Section 26 of the Charter which states: The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.

Tulfo said that if there is no law prohibiting political dynasty, it will still exist in the society.

“Unfortunately, hindi pa po kumikilos ang Kongreso at ang Senado. ‘Yun po ‘yung sinasabi doon, kaya nga po hanggang wala pa pong batas tayo, meron po talagang ganito, may mangyayari pong ganito,” Tulfo explained.

[Unfortunately, the House of Representatives and the Senate have yet to act on this. Until there will be a law, a situation like this will remain and exist.]

Tulfo, however, gave assurance that if ever there will be a measure against political dynasty, he will support it.

He also said he would let his lawyer respond to the disqualification case.

For his part, former Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson plans to re-file a bill that will fulfill the 1987 Constitution's provision against political dynasties.

Lacson said he hopes his bill, which defines the degree of affinity or consanguinity that will be covered by the measure, will finally get support from Congress.

"I have filed that so many times. It would be easy to re-file, but I hope it finally gets the needed support in the 20th Congress," he said.

On Monday, a disqualification case against members of the Tulfo family running for elective posts in Eleksyon 2025 was filed with the Commission on Elections.

In a 19-page petition before the Commission on Elections, Atty. Virgilio Garcia asked the Comelec to disqualify Tulfo and his brother, broadcast journalist Ben Tulfo, who are both running for the Senate; ACT-CIS Rep. Jocelyn Pua-Tulfo and Quezon City Rep. Ralph Tulfo, who are eyeing a return to the House of Representatives; and former Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo Teo, a nominee of the Turismo party-list.

In his petition, Garcia said the Tulfos constituted a political dynasty, which is prohibited under the 1987 Constitution, also claiming that they were not natural-born Filipinos. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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