COC filing day 5 recap: Tulfo brothers in the Senate, De Lima’s return to politics

MANILA, Philippines – It is highly likely that the Tulfo brothers will dominate the 24-member Senate, with broadcaster Ben Tulfo officially filing his certificate of candidacy on Saturday, October 5. Erwin Tulfo, who has yet to file his COC, is included in the administration coalition’s slate.

Both Ben and Erwin have led the pre-election surveys, and are set to join incumbent Senator Raffy Tulfo, whose term ends in 2028. In the recent Pulse Asia survey held in September, Erwin — a former social welfare secretary and current ACT-CIS party-list representative — was at the top spot, while Ben ranked second to third. 

Although they are siblings, Ben assured the public he would offer a different brand of leadership. 

“We are brothers. Isa lang ang dumadaloy sa ugat namin — ang public service. Because I have a different discipline. I’m an executive. I’m a communicator. I listen. Nakikinig ako. Pinakikinggan ko,” Ben told the media after filing his COC at the Manila Hotel Tent City. 

(We have only one thing flowing in our veins: public service. Because I have a different discipline. I’m an executive. I’m a communicator. I listen. I am listening. I pay attention.)

He also shunned criticisms of the looming “Tulfo dynasty” in the Senate because, he said, “running for Senate, a national office, you cannot have a dynasty.”

“We’re a dynasty in terms of helping people in the media first. We broke the record. We were the first brothers, the Tulfo brothers. We lorded over helping people, and sabay-sabay kaming magkakapatid (we siblings did it together),” Ben said. 

Ben has decades of experience in the media. He hosts BITAG, a documentary-reality show that exposes the modus operandi of criminals

Political analysts said that the rise of the Tulfo brand is proof of the country’s weak justice system. The trio once had a show called T3, where disappointed Filipinos aired their grievances. 

If the Tulfo brothers win — an outcome that seems highly likely — they will join other sibling senators in the upper chamber: the Ejercito-Estrada family, the Cayetanos (with Senator Pia Cayetano seeking reelection and currently included in the winning circle of election surveys), and the Villars (Las Piñas Lone District Representative Camille Villar is also vying for a Senate seat and has been included in the magic 12 of pre-election surveys).

De Lima’s return to politics

Former senator Leila de Lima also formalized her return to politics as she filed her certificate of nomination and acceptance as the lead nominee of party-list Mamamayang Liberal (ML), the sectoral arm of the once-ruling Liberal Party.

De Lima, who previously rejected calls to re-enter politics following her “politically motivated” detention, said her decision to run for a House seat was “pragmatic.” She believes she has a better chance of winning as a party-list representative than as a senator.

“Medyo mahihirapan sa Senado (It will be somehow difficult to run for the Senate). It’s a tight race,” she said. 

The former senator reflected on the political persecution she faced under the Duterte administration.

“My conviction remains unshaken that the Filipino people deserve better. ML represents the marginalized, those left behind by a system that has ignored them,” she said.

Sara’s staunch critic

The national democratic Kabataan Partylist is aiming to sustain its presence at the House of Representatives as it filed its certificate of nomination and acceptance on Saturday.

Kabataan first nominee Renee Co said they would endorse any impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte for her continued refusal to cooperate with the House probe over alleged misuse of funds. 

“This is a continued evasion of accountability [and] betrayal of public trust. It is clear that Kabataan wants to remove her from the position,” said Co.

Kabataan is one of the few dissenters in the House actively voicing concerns and criticizing government policies. Incumbent Representative Raoul Manuel is passing the baton to Co after serving a single term.

David-Goliath

Is third time the charm for labor leader Sonny Matula?

Matula is again seeking a Senate seat after two failed attempts in 2019 and 2022. He is relying on his previous campaign efforts, which expanded his support base with each run. In 2019, he received nearly 400,000 votes, while in 2022, when he ran under former vice president Leni Robredo’s slate, his vote count increased to 2.66 million.

“Tayo po ay dumaan na sa maraming kampanya…. I think may capital na tayo sa hanay ng mga manggagawa. Maaari nating maipanalo ang laban na ito,” he said. 

(We have already gone through many campaigns…. I believe we have the support of the workers. We can win this fight.)

Recognizing that his Senate bid would be a challenge against dynasties and familiar names, Matulac made a reference to the biblical account of David and Goliath. 

“Alam ko na maliit tayo kontra sa dinastiya at traditional na pulitiko, pero si David man ay nanalo kay Goliath,” Matula said. (I know we are small against dynasties and traditional politicians, but even David defeated Goliath.)

Another notable candidate who filed his COC was ride-hailing service CEO George Royeca, who is seeking a House seat as lead nominee of a party-list group of informal sector of motorcycle riders. He described his party-list group as the “backbone of the local economy.” – Rappler.com