DQ case vs Erwin Tulfo, Bagong Henerasyon dismissed

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has dismissed petitions for disqualification against senator-elect Erwin Tulfo and Bagong Henerasyon Party-list and its nominees.

The Comelec Second Division, which is in charge of the petition for disqualification filed against Tulfo by Toto Causing and Graft-Free Philippines Foundation Inc. (GFPFI), said in a decision dated May 22, 2025, that the petitioner failed to observe certain requirements, such as affidavit of authentication and secretary certificate that warranted the outright dismissal of the petition for insufficiency in form.

The petitioners cited several grounds for disqualification of Tulfo, including his conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude, not being a Filipino citizen and for violating Section 26 of Article II of the 1987 Constitution on equal access to opportunities to public service, the political dynasty provisions, and nepotism, as well as Section 1 of Article XI of the 1987 Constitution that was violated for failing to prove his academic qualification or ability to serve the People of the Philippines with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency.

The Comelec Second Division said that since multiple grounds have already been established for the dismissal of the petition, the other matters and issues raised by the parties no longer merit any consideration.

Meantime, the Comelec First Division, which handled the petition filed by Russel Stanley Geronimo against the Bagong Henerasyon party-list and its nominees, namely, Bernadette Herrrera, Robert Gerard Nazal Jr., and Maria Editha Alcantara, said the petitioner failed to serve a copy of the petition to the respondents through personal service, which resulted in its dismissal.

It said that while the petitioner furnished the respondents copies of the petition via registered mail, they did not submit an affidavit explaining why it was not done through personal service.

The Comelec also said that the petitioner failed to attach a copy of Certificate of Nomination-Certificate of Acceptance of Nomination (Con-Caz), which is a must in order for the petition to be considered sufficient in form.

Bagong Henerasyon partylist ranked 39th in the just concluded 2025 national and local elections, securing one seat at the 20th Congress.

However, they were not officially proclaimed due to the said disqualification case.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the dismissal order will not be implemented yet until it is final and executory.

He said the petitioners may still file a petition for reconsideration on the matter. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)