Erwin Tulfo to back anti-political dynasty bill, other Alyansa bets weigh in

ANTIPOLO, Rizal — Senatorial candidate and ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo on Friday categorically stated that he would support a bill that would ban political dynasties. 

Tulfo made the remark during the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas press conference before their campaign rally at Ynares Event Center. 

“Kung meron sa Congress na ganun, I will agree. Kung tatanungin niyo, may mga kapatid ako…I mean we deserve many of us in politics right now. I will agree, kung ikagaganda ba naman ng ating bayan ‘yon, why not ‘di ba? Let’s give others a chance sang-ayon po kaming magkakapatid ‘don. Let’s give others a chance,” Tulfo said. 

In an ambush interview, Tulfo disclosed that he has already discussed this matter with his brothers— incumbent Senator Raffy Tulfo and fellow senatorial candidate Ben Tulfo. 

“I’m asking Raffy even Ben sang-ayon naman kami... Ipasa mo ‘yan syempre dahil ‘yun ang gusto ng tao, ‘di ba…Di naman po kami pinakamagaling na mga pulitiko, we’re not. We’re new in politics,” he said. 

“Kung mas ikagaganda ng bayan, we will sacrifice, siguro aatras ako, aatras si Ben dahil nauna si Raffy, aatras kami. I will even talk to my nephew, ‘Atras ka na d’yan Ralph’.  I will even talk to my sister too, ‘Atras na tayo d’yan. Isa na lang muna,’” he added. 

“We will support it. Napag-usapan na naming magkapatid yan. We will just wait kung magkakaroon ng botohan, boboto po ako na anti-political dynasty.”

To recall, a petition to disqualify five members of the Tulfo family, who are running for the Senate and House of Representatives in Eleksyon 2025 was filed before the Commission on Elections (Comelec). 

The petition wants to disqualify the Tulfos from running in the upcoming May elections namely, Erwin and broadcast journalist Ben Tulfo, who are both running for the Senate; ACT-CIS Rep. Jocelyn Pua-Tulfo and Quezon City Rep. Ralph Tulfo, who are eyeing a return to the House of Representatives; and former Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo Teo, the nominee of the Turismo party-list.

The petition, however, was junked by the Comelec's First Division due to failure to submit all the required documents, including the respondents’ certificates of candidacy (COC).  

Binay: We will consider it

In a separate ambush interview, senatorial bet and outgoing Makati City Mayor Abby Binay also expressed openness to support an anti-political dynasty bill as long as it is well defined in the measure. 

“Alam mo nasa Constitution naman ‘yan… We will consider. It is in the constitution. So I am open to the idea of passing that law. Again, let us define ano yung ibig sabihin ng political dynasty,” Binay told reporters. 

She noted the “intricacies” in defining political dynasties, noting that there are certain relationships that should also be considered like “illegitimate relationships” or third parties. 

“Kunyari meron kang kabit… covered ba siya? So maraming intricacies ‘yung definition na madali namang magpasa nung batas. Ang tanong lang ay ano yung definition ng political dynasty? Hanggang second, hanggang third, hanggang fourth consanguinity? Pati ba affinity, pati ba yung asawa ng pinsan, asawa ng kapatid? So ‘yun ‘yung mahabng definition na kailangang pag-aralan nang mabuti,” she said. 

Binay is the daughter of former Vice President Jejomar Binay whose wife was a former mayor of Makati City. 

She is also the sibling of outgoing senator and Makati City mayoral candidate Nancy Binay and former Makati City Mayor Junjun Binay. 

Abby’s husband is currently running against her sister, Nancy, in the mayoral race in Makati City. 

Sotto: How about 'illegal families'

Former Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, who is also part of the administration’s senatorial ticket, said he is supportive of the anti-dynasty measure. 

However, he pointed out that the bill should also cover the “illegal families” of the politicians. 

“Matagal na akong nakikipagdebate diyan, supportive ako diyan. Pero hangga’t hindi nare-resolve ‘yong isyu ng illegal, hindi pa rin ako talaga makakita ng light at the end of the tunnel pagdating sa isyu na ‘yan,” Sotto said during the press conference.

“Kasi once pinagbawal niyo ‘yung legal na pamilya, ‘yung illegal na pamilya ang tatakbo. Edi paano ka? Gano’n din. ‘Di ba? So, kailangan  makahanap muna ng solusyon doon siguro, madali na lahat ‘yan thereafter,” he added. 

Sotto also came from a political family. His father, Vicente Yap Sotto, was a former senator. His son is currently running for a third term as vice mayor in Quezon City, while his nephew is seeking a third term as mayor in Pasig City. 

Lacson to file anti-dynasty bill anew

For his part, former Senator Panfilo Lacson said he will file again a measure against political dynasties should he return in the upper chamber in Eleksyon 2025. 

“Ako dalawang beses na akong nag-file niyan pero hindi lumalabas sa committee no, kasi nasa Constitution pero ang sinabi ng Constitution, kailangan may enabling law…Maraming magagalit, nai-file ko na at tsaka nasa saligang batas, so ifa-file ko ulit,” he said. 

Under the bills that he filed in the previous Congress, Lacson said his version prohibits from running those related to the second degree in the same locality. 

Apart from Tulfo, Binay, and Sotto, six other Alyansa senatorial bets have close relatives who are either incumbent or candidates for other elective posts, namely former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr., Senator Bong Revilla Jr., Senator Pia Cayetano, former Senator Manny Pacquiao, Senator Francis Tolentino, and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar. 

Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.” —LDF, GMA Integrated News

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