Erwin Tulfo airs support for Anti-Dynasty Bill

Senator Erwin Tulfo on Wednesday reaffirmed his support for the passage of a law banning political dynasties.

Tulfo reiterated his stand a day after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. urged Congress to prioritize the measure during the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting in Malacañang.

“Yes. I’ve said before I will support it to give others the chance to lead this nation,” Tulfo told GMA News Online.

The senator is one of two Tulfo brothers who are members of the 20th Congress in the Senate. 

GMA Integrated News sought the positions of other senator siblings on the proposed measure—Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano; Mark and Camille Villar; and half-brothers JV Ejercito and Jinggoy Estrada—but they have yet to respond.

Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution mandates the State to “guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

However, nearly four decades after the Constitution was ratified, no enabling law has yet been passed.

In February, Tulfo—then seeking a Senate seat in the May 2025 polls—said he supported moves to curb political dynasties but noted that no law currently prohibits them.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto earlier said that a clear legal definition of what constitutes a political dynasty is important for President Marcos, adding that passing an anti-dynasty measure would be easier once that definition is settled.

House

GMA News Online has also sought comment from Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III of Isabela; Eric Yap of Benguet; Lorenz Defensor of Iloilo; Albee Benitez of Bacolod City; Tonypet Albano of Isabela; Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur; and Martin Romualdez of Leyte, and will publish their responses once available.

Speaker Dy’s son, Inno, is the mayor of Echague, Isabela, while his nephews Ian and Mike currently serve as representatives of the province’s 3rd and 5th Districts, respectively.

Yap’s brother, Edvic, is also a House member representing the Anti-Crime and Terrorism–Community Involvement and Support party-list.

Defensor is the brother of Iloilo Governor Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr.

Benitez’s son, Javi, is the incumbent representative of the 3rd District of Negros Occidental.

Albano is the brother of Isabela Governor Rodolfo “Rodito” Albano III.

Adiong’s brothers—Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. and Ditsaan-Ramain Mayor Ansaruddin Alonto Adiong—are also incumbent public officials.

Lastly, Romualdez is the cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the uncle of House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos of Ilocos Norte. His wife and son, Yedda and Andrew, are representatives of the Tingog party-list.—MCG, GMA Integrated News