ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo, his brother Ben Tulfo, and three other family members were facing disqualification charges before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
On February 17, COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia disclosed that a certain Virgilio Garcia asked for the disqualification of the Tulfo family members.
According to the complaint, which included ACT-CIS Rep. Jocelyn Pua-Tulfo, Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo, and Turismo party-list nominee Wanda Tulfo-Teo were all members of the political dynasty, hence should not be allowed to run for public office.
“WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed of the Honorable Commission that, after due process, respondents be declared as constituting a POLITICAL DYNASTY by express prohibition under the Constitution and are therefore not qualified as candidates to seek public office in the National and Local Elections in May 2025,” the complaint reads.
The complainant cited Article II, Section 26, which prohibits political dynasties, as well as Erwin’s citizenship issue.
Both Erwin and Ben enjoyed high ratings on several senatorial election surveys.
It can be recalled that Erwin’s citizenship was in the middle of controversy after an alleged letter from the US Embassy in Manila revealed that the lawmaker reportedly hid his real identity to maintain his American citizenship.
As of this writing, Ben, Erwin, and other members of the Tulfo family have yet to respond to the complaint they are facing.