Comelec junks DQ case vs. Tulfos

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) dismissed on Tuesday, 4 March, the disqualification case filed against five Tulfo family members running for seats in the Senate and House of Representatives.

According to the Comelec, the Comelec was dismissed due to its insufficient form as the petitioner failed to provide copies of the Tulfos' certificates of candidacy (COCs).

"Upon scrutiny of the submitted Petition and its attachments, it appears that the Petitioner failed to provide the copies of Respondents' COCs, which would have been vital in order to properly verify the necessary information alleged in the Petition," the six-page order read.

"Consequently, it cannot also be verified whether the Petition was properly served to the Respondents," it further read.

The petition sought to disqualify Rep. Erwin Tulfo, Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo, Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo-Teo, and Ben Tulfo from running in the May 2025 polls.

Filed by lawyer Virgilio Garcia, the petition argued that the respondents being members of what he deemed a political dynasty is grounds for disqualification.

Garcia noted that the five respondents are related to incumbent Senator Raffy Tulfo "within the first or second civil degree of consanguinity or of affinity."

Erwin, Ben, and Wanda are siblings, while Jocelyn and Ralph are the wife and son of Raffy.

Erwin and Ben are the top preferred senators in various surveys, including Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations.

Wanda, Jocelyn, and Ralph, meanwhile, are all gunning for Congressional seats under Turismo Partylist, ACT-CIS Partylist, and Quezon City Second District, respectively.

The petitioner further pointed out that the "1987 Constitution expressly prohibits political dynasty."

Meanwhile, in a statement, ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo thanked the Comelec for "its just and fair decision."

"The dismissal of the case due to the petitioner's failure to comply with the necessary requirements of the Comelec is proof of the integrity of our elections and the importance of following due process," Tulfo said in Filipino.

"I stand with full confidence in the independence and impartiality of the Comelec," the lawmaker continued.

Tulfo also thanked his supporters "for their continued trust and support."