Erwin Tulfo dismisses potential Leni-Erwin tandem in 2028 elections

Senator Erwin Tulfo on Thursday said he will not be vying for a higher post in the 2028 national elections, dismissing prospects that he would be an ideal running mate of former vice president and incumbent Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo should she run for the presidency.

In an ambush interview, Tulfo said that he nor his older brother, Senator Raffy Tulfo, is interested in running for a higher position come the 2028 elections. 

He also said he would just leave it to Robredo to decide whether she will run again for the presidency or not. 

“Leni Robredo siguro at saka mga kasamahan niya sa liberal,” Erwin said. 

(It is up to Leni Robredo and her allies in the liberal party.) 

The Leni-Erwin tandem was floated by a political analyst in a television interview, saying that it could be an ideal pairing that could run against Vice President Sara Duterte, who just recently announced her bid for the presidency in 2028. 

But the younger Tulfo said that he and his family no longer want to engage in the political chaos. 

“Nakakataba po ng puso pero I don’t have plans eh. Whatever it is, ‘yun lang makakatalo kay…kahit sino pa man diyan, I would say thank you, pero I’m kinda tired. Hindi pa nga tapos ‘yung 2025, last year, nakita ninyo naman, kaliwa’t kanan ang batikos, demanda sa Comelec, left and right,” Erwin told Senate reporters.

(It flatters me but I don't have plans. I would say thank you, but I'm kinda tired. The issues in the 2025 elections are not even over yet. You saw the criticisms and the lawsuits filed against me before the Comelec left and right.) 

He said that his brother Raffy might just seek reelection in the 2028 elections.

“Ako din po, napagusapan namin na I don’t [have] plans to run for higher office. Ang hirap pala,” he added.

(Me too, we’ve discussed that I don't plan to run for higher office. It's hard.) 

Erwin said that there are better prospects, including Senators Bam Aquino and Risa Hontiveros, who could be a potential running mate of Robredo, if ever. 

“Siguro ‘pag walang wala na. Walang nang tao sa mundo, ako na lang at si Madam Leni, ‘tsaka papayag,” he said.

(Maybe if there are no other options. Maybe if there are no other people in the world, just me and Leni, maybe I will say yes.) 

Hontiveros previously said that she remains open to run for president or even vice president in the 2028 elections, if that is what the united opposition would agree upon. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News