Erwin Tulfo faces another disqualification case

Metro Manila, Philippines - Senatorial candidate and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo is facing another disqualification case, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Wednesday, Feb. 26.

According to poll body chairman George Garcia, the petition was filed before the Comelec on Feb. 25. The petitioners were Graft-Free Philippines Foundation, disbarred lawyer Toto Causing–who was declared by the commission as a nuisance candidate–and a certain Diosdado Villar Calonge.

The grounds of the petition are:

+ still suffering from the 20-year disqualification caused by the moral turpitude in four counts of libel

+ not a Filipino citizen

+ violating the “equal access to opportunities to public service” clause under the Constitution

+ violating the political dynasty provision of the Constitution

+ failing to prove his academic qualification or ability to serve the people of the Philippines with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency as mandated by the Constitution

Garcia said the case will be raffled off on Thursday.

“Umasa kayo that the Comelec division… will decide these cases expeditiously para kung medyo may hindi papalarin dito ay makapunta kaagad sa Korte Suprema,” he said in a press briefing.

[Translation: Expect that the Comelec division will decide on these cases expeditiously so the losing parties can seek relief with the Supreme Court.]

Tulfo said he has yet to receive a copy of the petition but he is ready to respond.

“Iginagalang ko po ang kanyang karapatang magsampa ng reklamo at ipinauubaya ko sa COMELEC ang paghusga,” the congressman said in a statement.

[Translation: I respect his right to file a complaint, and I defer the judgement to the Comelec.]

On Feb. 17, a petition to disqualify the members of the Tulfo family serving in the Congress was filed with the Comelec.

It seeks to disqualify Erwin and his brother broadcaster Ben Tulfo, who is vying for a Senate seat. If the bids of the siblings prosper, they will join their brother incumbent Senator Raffy Tulfo in the Congress.

The petition also called for the disqualification of reelectionists ACT-CIS Rep. Jocelyn Pua-Tulfo and Quezon City Rep. Ralph Tulfo, the wife and son of the senator, respectively.

The first petition was raffled off to the first division. Garcia said a disposition whether to proceed or terminate the case will be out on Monday.

He said the two disqualification petitions cannot be consolidated as there are differences to a certain extent.