Tulfo brothers Ben, Erwin eye Senate seat | ABS-CBN

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Tulfo brothers Ben, Erwin eye Senate seat

Tulfo brothers Ben, Erwin eye Senate seat

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Sep 26, 2024 06:33 PM PHT

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MANILA (UPDATED) - The possibility of all three Tulfo brothers holding a seat in the Upper House looms as both Ben and Erwin Tulfo confirm they are running during the 2025 Senatorial Race. 

Their brother, Raffy, placed third in the Senate race with 23.39 million votes. Both Ben and Erwin were seen among the frontrunners in electoral surveys ahead of expressing their intention to run. Should they win, all three Tulfo brothers may be securing seat in the Senate. 

Erwin, a former DSWD chief, will be running under the Marcos Jr.'s administration slate, while Ben will be running independent. After serving as DSWD secretary, Erwin took a seat in the House of Representatives as a representative for ACT-CIS.

Asked about a possible "Tulfo dynasty" in the Senate, Erwin said it will be up to the voters to decide who they want to represent them in the upper chamber.

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“Well, we'll leave it to the voters. We'll leave it to the public. Kung gusto nila, then, nasa kanila ‘yun. Kung ayaw nila ng Tulfo at all sa Senate, tama na si Raffy, then nasa tao ‘yun. Nasa discretion ‘yun ng mga kababayan natin. Pero like I was saying kanina, for now, sabi ko, dalawa ang magiging kakampi ng mga inaapi sa Senado. Kung isasama si Ben as independent, nasa sa voters po ‘yun,” he told the media on Thursday in a press conference.

“Pero I have an administration ticket, which kailangan kong bitbitin, all 11 other candidates,” the incumbent congressman said.

Ben affirmed his intention to run as Senator after being declared the "Son of Marawi" through a municipal order. Tulfo was reportedly born in Camp Kithley in Marawi, where his father served as a commander of the Philippine Constabulary at the time. 

He said he decided to run due to "public demand", adding that his number two position in the survey cemented his decision.

“Way back in 2015, there was already a clamor for me to run for Senate. Adbokasiya ko na ipagtanggol ang mga inabuso, pinagsamantalahan, pinabayaan at mga niloko, ang mga walang mukha at walang boses, the faceless at voiceless sa lipunan,” Ben said.  

If he wins, he plans to collaborate with BARMM and the government to preserve Lake Lanao in Marawi and to stop illegal logging in the area. He said he will begin by recognizing the culture and sensitivities of the Maranao people.

He also plans to prioritize the economy, peace and order, prices, jobs, and matters related to people's basic needs including Ease of Doing Business. Last on his list of priorities, he said, is the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China.

Asked about a possible Tulfo dynasty in the Senate, he said he and his brothers could help each other and assist people with the issues brought to their attention.

“Isang dugong dumadaloy sa ugat namin, ang pagtulong na walang kapalit, libre, boluntersimo yan. Sa ngayon, anong matatawag mo dun? Dynastiya, hindi ba?” Ben said. 


“Kami authentic kami eh, ginawa na namin ilang dekada na ginawa pa rin namin ngayon. Yung mga naiinggit siguro yung mga gusto ring makipagsapalaran. Naiinggit sila kasi yung pangalan namin brand eh,” he added. 

“Sa Tulfo naman brothers, hindi kami pare-pareho. May angat, may sumusunod. Basta kami iisa ang dugong dumadaloy sa ‘min, ang pagtulong sa mga tao.” -- With a report from Roxanne Arevalo

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