By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday dismissed for being “insufficient in form” the petition seeking to disqualify five members of the Tulfo family who are running for different positions in the May 12 midterm elections.
In a three-page order, the Comelec First Division junked the petition filed by lawyer Virgilio Garcia against senatorial bets Erwin and Ben Tulfo, party-list nominees Jocelyn Pua-Tulfo (ACT-CIS) and Wanda Tulfo-Teo (Turismo), and re-electionist Rep. Ralph Tulfo of Quezon City’s Second District for being a political dynasty.
“After a judicious review of the Petition, the Commission (First Division) finds that Petitioner failed to comply with the requirement. In view of the foregoing, the Commission (First Division) hereby resolves to dismiss the instant Petition,” the poll body ruled.
Primarily, the First Division noted that the petition failed to include the copies of the respondents’ Certificates of Candidacy (COCs).
“Upon scrutiny of the submitted Petition and its attachments, it appears that the Petitioner failed to provide the copies of Respondents’ COCs, which would have been vital in order to properly verify the necessary information alleged in the Petition,” it said.
In his petition, the lawyer added that the potential election of the five Tulfos, in addition to sitting Senator Raffy Tulfo, constitutes a political dynasty, which is prohibited under the 1987 Constitution.
On the other hand, Comelec Chair George Garcia said the petitioner can file a motion for reconsideration.
“It is possible that if it reaches the Comelec en banc, it can be decided based on the merits,” he said in an interview.
He added that Garcia may file a new petition against the respondents.
“Disqualification cases can be filed before the proclamation of the winning candidate,” the poll body chair added.
In a statement, Tulfo said the ruling demonstrated Comelec’s commitment to uphold due process and maintain the credibility of democratic institutions.
“Ang pagkaka-dismiss ng kaso dahil sa hindi pagsunod ng petitioner sa mga kinakailangang rekisito ng Comelec ay patunay ng integridad ng ating halalan at ng kahalagahan ng pagsunod sa tamang proseso (The dismissal of the case due to the petitioner’s failure to comply with Comelec’s requirements is proof of the integrity of our elections and the importance of following the correct process),” Tulfo, who is part of the administration coalition’s Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate, said.
Tulfo said the ruling would allow him to focus on his duties in Congress.
“Ang desisyong ito ay nagbibigay-daan upang lalo kong ma-ituon ang aking oras at pagsisikap sa paglilingkod sa ating mga kababayan at sa pagsusulong ng kanilang kapakanan sa Kongreso (This decision allows me to devote more time and effort to serving our people and advancing their interests in Congress),” he said. (With a report from Filane Mikee Cervantes/PNA)
