The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday said that the disqualification case filed against senatorial candidates ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo, his brother, broadcaster Ben Tulfo, and three other members of the Tulfo clan, which a petitioner claims constitutes a political dynasty, will go the usual and ordinary process.
Poll chairman George Erwin Garcia said the case, filed by a petitioner identified as a certain Virgilio Garcia, will be raffled to the poll body’s two divisions.
Aside from Ben and Erwin, also named in the disqualification petition were ACT-CIS Rep. Jocelyn Pua-Tulfo, Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo, and Turismo party-list nominee Wanda Tulfo-Teo.
The petitioner argues that they are disqualified under the Constitution and lack the necessary qualifications, adding that the Constitution prohibits political dynasties.
The complaint cited Article II, Section 26 which states “The State shall guarantee equal access to all opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”
The complaint also cited the citizenship issue of Erwin, which the petitioner claimed that Erwin previously served as social welfare Secretary, but the Commission on Appointments blocked his nomination due to citizenship issues.
Erwin Tulfo shrugged off the disqualification case filed against members of the Tulfo family running for the mid-term elections.
Tulfo, at a news conference with fellow Alyansansa senatorial candidates in Pasay City, said he is "leaving it to the Commission on Elections." He added he would let his lawyer respond to the disqualification case as soon as his camp gets hold of a copy of it.
At the same time, Tulfo said the absence of an existing law banning political dynasty will allow any candidate to seek public office or run for elective posts they desire.
"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 saw 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," Tulfo said.
Tulfo said even the 1987 Constitution was never clear about the parameters of a political dynasty. Tulfo was referring to Article II, Section 26 of the Constitution which provides that "the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law."
Tulfo said not even Congress has yet to pass a law on such. Nevertheless, Tulfo said and his fellow Alyansa senatorial candidates will support a measure banning political dynasties in the event this is approved in Congress.
