Erwin Tulfo: Reiterates no plan to run for higher office despite VP rumors in 2028 polls

Senator Erwin Tulfo on Sunday reiterated that he has no plans to run for a higher position in the 2028 national election, after he was linked as a potential running mate of Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo.

“Wala po akong plano na tumakbo sa higher office dahil naramdaman ko na yung pressure, yung intriga nung tayo tumakbo nung senador. Kawawa po pati pamilya ko nadamay, mga anak ko na walang kinalaman so ayaw ko na pumasok sa ganun na madamay ang pamilya ko,” Tulfo told Super Radyo dzBB.

(I have no plans to run for higher office because I already felt the pressure and the intrigues when I ran for senator. My family was affected, even my children, who had nothing to do with it. I don’t want to go through that again and have my family dragged into it.)

Tulfo made the remark when asked about the possible motives behind his inclusion in allegations that several high-profile politicians received bribes from kickbacks linked to anomalous flood control projects, reportedly delivered in suitcases.

The senator said reports about a possible vice presidential bid surfaced after a political analyst suggested a tandem with Robredo would beat Vice President Sara Duterte in the upcoming 2028 elections.

Duterte earlier announced that she will run for president in the 2028 polls.

She also confirmed that discussions are ongoing with her prospective running mate, but added that the latter has yet to make a decision.

Meanwhile, Robredo said her meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not bring up political matters.

“Hindi ’to pulitika, at saka ang layo pa ng election. Hindi pa nga ako nagwa-one year sa puwesto ko, di pa umiinit yung upuan ko, tapos pulitika na agad… Magtrabaho muna tayo," Robredo said.

(This isn’t about politics, and the elections are still far away. I haven’t even completed one year in my current position, my seat hasn’t even warmed up yet, and people are already talking about politics… Let’s focus on doing our work first.)

Robredo served as vice president from 2016 to 2022. She ran for the presidency in the 2022 elections, with Pangilinan as her running mate. —RF, GMA Integrated News