Second petition filed to disqualify Rep Tulfo over libel conviction and US citizenship

A second petition has been filed to disqualify senatorial candidate ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, alleging he is still penalized by his libel conviction and holds US citizenship.

The 28-page petition submitted on Tuesday, February 25, by Berteni Cataluña Causing and the Graft-Free Philippine Foundation claims that Tulfo violates constitutional provisions regarding equal access to public service and political dynasties due to his family's simultaneous bids for congressional seats in the 2025 midterm elections.

Tulfo's camp has yet to receive a copy of the disqualification case but is prepared to respond, stating they will respect the rights of the petitioners and leave it to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to judge.

The complaint alleges that Tulfo did not renounce his US citizenship and admits he held a US passport under the name Erich Sylvester Tulfo since 1991.

In related news, a previous petition filed by lawyer Virgilio Garcia on February 3 includes other members of the Tulfo family seeking congressional seats in the 2025 midterm elections.

The Comelec expects to rule on the first disqualification case against the Tulfos in March, with Erwin currently leading national senatorial preference surveys.