THIS early, there appears to be a deliberate effort to destroy Senator Erwin Tulfo, likely by those who see him as a threat to their political ambitions leading up to 2028.”
Ewin should not be considered as a threat because he has no ambition for higher office.
A fresh quo warranto petition has once again been filed challenging the senator’s right to hold office over alleged questions about his citizenship, a matter that has already been resolved multiple times by proper authorities.
The good senator noted that the case was filed by a disbarred lawyer who had previously filed similar disqualification cases against him during the campaign, all of which were dismissed.
“It can be recalled that behind it was the same person, a disbarred lawyer, who repeatedly filed a disqualification case against me during the campaign period, that’s why we’re no longer surprised. And all such disqualification cases filed by this person have all been dismissed,” he said in a statement.
“Despite all these, our work continues. We were elected by the people to serve and that’s what we continue to do,” he added.
From what I know, Erwin has already presented sufficient evidence to prove his Filipino citizenship. The evidence merited dismissal by bodies like the Commission on Elections (Comelec), which will not do so without thorough study, probing and reason.
On the other hand, the accuser failed to back his allegations with evidence; thus, the petition against the senator was dismissed.
Good thing Erwin is not the type who would be easily distracted by baseless accusations. He stressed that he was duly elected to serve the people and remains committed to fulfilling his duties as a Senator of the Republic.
True enough, he has proven his mettle by filing meaningful bills aligned with the vision he set when he ran for the Senate—to craft measures that would uplift indigent citizens, students, barangay workers, patients, and members of the media.
Among his notable proposed bills are those seeking lifetime validity of identification cards for persons with disability (PWDs); scrapping of travel tax; instituting accountability mechanisms against purveyors of false information to strengthen democracy; implementing policies that boost local production; inclusion of fisherfolk in government assistance programs during typhoons whether or not they are directly affected; creation of a separate pension fund for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) distinct from the Social Security System (SSS); and a total and immediate ban on online gambling that primarily harms the youth and the poor.
On infrastructure-related issues, particularly the alleged anomalies in the flood control program, Tulfo is pushing for stricter auditing of projects to prevent irregular reblocking schemes, criminalization of the “license for rent” practice, and the provision of a one-month income tax holiday in light of the multi-billion peso ghost project controversy. He also supports increasing jail time for graft and corruption from the current 6–15 years to 12–20 years and advocates that flood control projects remain under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), asserting that lawmakers should not interfere since “it is not their job.”
Furthermore, Erwin expressed support for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s plan to reallocate the P36 billion initially intended for flood control funds to programs that will help poverty-stricken Filipinos in need of livelihood assistance. He also proposed that government attention be shifted toward addressing other basic needs of the people while the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) handles ongoing investigations into flood control anomalies.
As I have said, the issue questioning his citizenship has been resolved several times by the proper bodies and bringing it up once again would be a waste of time on the part of those who will have to resolve it again.
The greatest validation of the senator’s worthiness as a Filipino came during the May elections when he handily landed in fourth place on his first try as a Senatorial candidate.
More than 17 million Filipinos voted for him and have clearly spoken for him. Let us respect the wishes of the people, and I hope those in charge will finally put the matter to rest. It has been overly stretched.
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