Raffy Tulfo and His Brothers Accused of Establishing a Political Dynasty
RAFFY TULFO – The senator has responded to allegations that he and his brothers, veteran broadcaster Ben Tulfo and ACT-CIS Party-list Representative Erwin Tulfo, are establishing a political dynasty.
Earlier, COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia announced that a petitioner named Virgilio Garcia had filed a complaint seeking to prevent members of the Tulfo family from running for public office.
The complaint specifically targeted ACT-CIS Representative Jocelyn Pua-Tulfo, Quezon City 2nd District Representative Ralph Wendel Tulfo, and Turismo Party-list nominee Wanda Tulfo-Teo. It argued that their candidacies violated the constitutional ban on political dynasties.
The petitioner urged COMELEC to officially recognize the respondents as part of a political dynasty and disqualify them from the May 2025 elections. The complaint cited Article II, Section 26 of the Constitution, which opposes political dynasties, and also raised concerns about Erwin Tulfo’s citizenship.
Erwin and Ben Tulfo have ranked well in senatorial surveys, but Erwin’s citizenship remains a contentious issue. Reports previously suggested that a letter from the US Embassy in Manila indicated he had misrepresented his identity to maintain his American citizenship.
In the latest episode of Morning Matters with Gretchen Ho on One PH, aired Tuesday, February 18, Senator Raffy Tulfo addressed the allegations, stating that the decision ultimately rests with the public.
“I’ll leave it up to the people. Kasi kung gusto ka ng tao, iboboto ka nila. Kung ayaw ka nila, maiisip nila ay dynasty ito. Ang dami naman, walang ginagawa,” Tulfo said. He added, “Kung ayaw n’yo mga kapatid ko, please don’t vote for them. Pero kung gusto n’yo sila dahil sa tingin n’yo makakapagsilbi sila nang maayos, then go ahead. Kayo na ang mag-decide.”
As of now, the Tulfo family members involved have yet to release a statement regarding the complaint.