Erwin Tulfo vows to resign if anti-dynasty bill passes

Manila, Philippines — ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo has declared he is ready to resign if Congress finally passes a law banning political dynasties, saying he will also urge his family members to do the same.

Tulfo, who is currently among the frontrunners in the 2025 senatorial race, said he is willing to co-author the measure and fully support its passage. “If passed, I will resign,” he told reporters in an interview this week. “And I’ll even tell my sister-in-law and nephew to resign. Let’s give others a chance.”

Although the 1987 Constitution contains a provision against political dynasties, Congress has yet to pass enabling legislation to enforce it. A recent petition before the Supreme Court has urged lawmakers to act on this longstanding gap, citing concerns over family monopolies in government.

Tulfo and several of his relatives ran for elective positions in the 12 May elections, prompting accusations of dynasty-building. A disqualification case was filed earlier this year against members of the Tulfo family—including Senator Raffy Tulfo, ACT-CIS Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo, and Quezon City Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo—but was later dismissed.

Despite these challenges, Erwin Tulfo’s public commitment to step down if reform is passed marks a rare gesture in a political landscape where dynasties remain deeply entrenched.