2nd DQ case vs Erwin Tulfo junked

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division dismissed on Thursday the second disqualification case filed against ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo who is running for a Senate seat in the May polls.

According to the order, the petitioner “failed to submit proof of service of the petition with complete annexes to the respondent or failed to execute an affidavit of service.”

The second disqualification case was filed on 25 February by Berteni Causing and Graft-Free Philippines Foundation Inc. represented by Diosdado Villar Calonge.

In the petition, Causing cited Tulfo’s conviction on four counts of libel in 2008. This was in connection with a series of articles he wrote in 1999 regarding an allegedly corrupt official of the Bureau of Customs.

Causing also accused Tulfo of violating a provision on equal access to opportunities for public services and the prohibition on anti-political dynasties.

He also sought to disqualify Tulfo based on the issue of his American citizenship.

The Comelec dismissed on 4 March the first disqualification case filed against Tulfo and four family members, saying it was insufficient in form as the petitioner failed to provide copies of the Tulfos’ certificates of candidacy.

The prior petition, filed by lawyer Virgilio Garcia, sought to disqualify Rep. Erwin Tulfo, Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo, Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo, Wanda Teo, and Ben Tulfo who are running for Senate and House seats in the 12 May elections.

Garcia argued that the five respondents were related to incumbent Senator Raffy Tulfo “within the first or second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity,” which is prohibited under the Constitution.

In a statement, Erwin Tulfo thanked his legal team led by Atty. Karen Jimeno and his supporters.

“This decision by the Comelec once again confirms its strong vigilance for an honest, fair, and integrity-based implementation of election laws,” the lawmaker said in Filipino.