Elections and Politics
Comelec Dismisses Disqualification Case Against Tulfo Clan for 2025 Elections Due to Technicalities
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MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has dismissed the disqualification case filed against senatorial candidates Ben and Erwin Tulfo, along with three other members of the Tulfo clan, for the 2025 elections. The decision was announced on Tuesday after the case was assigned to the Comelec First Division.
In a three-page order, the Comelec First Division stated, “In view of the foregoing, the Commission (First Division) hereby RESOLVES to DISMISS the instant Petition.” The dismissal was based on technical grounds, as the petitioner failed to provide certified copies of the respondents’ Certificates of Candidacy (COCs), which are essential for verifying the allegations. Additionally, the Comelec noted that it could not confirm whether the petition was properly served to the respondents.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia emphasized that the dismissal was due to procedural lapses. He urged petitioners to ensure that all necessary documents, including the filing fee and attachments, are complete and accurate. “To those filing petitions before the Comelec, please ensure that the accusations, allegations, grounds, filing fee, and attachments are accurate. Otherwise, the petition will be dismissed on technicality and not proceed to the discussion of merits,” Garcia told reporters.
Garcia explained that attaching a certified true copy of a COC is crucial in disqualification cases, as it confirms an individual’s candidacy. He also highlighted the importance of properly serving the petition to respondents to establish jurisdiction.
The dismissal is not final, as the petitioner, Virgilio Garcia, can file a motion for reconsideration (MR) with the Comelec First Division. If the MR is deemed sufficient in form, the case will be elevated to the Comelec en banc for further review.
The disqualification case also included ACT-CIS Rep. Jocelyn Pua-Tulfo, Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo, and Turismo Party-list nominee Wanda Tulfo-Teo. Virgilio Garcia argued that the Tulfo clan’s political dynasty status should disqualify them from running in the May 2025 elections.
ccto Inquirer net
Note: This AI-generated summary may contain inaccuracies. For complete context, refer to the full article.
In a three-page order, the Comelec First Division stated, “In view of the foregoing, the Commission (First Division) hereby RESOLVES to DISMISS the instant Petition.” The dismissal was based on technical grounds, as the petitioner failed to provide certified copies of the respondents’ Certificates of Candidacy (COCs), which are essential for verifying the allegations. Additionally, the Comelec noted that it could not confirm whether the petition was properly served to the respondents.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia emphasized that the dismissal was due to procedural lapses. He urged petitioners to ensure that all necessary documents, including the filing fee and attachments, are complete and accurate. “To those filing petitions before the Comelec, please ensure that the accusations, allegations, grounds, filing fee, and attachments are accurate. Otherwise, the petition will be dismissed on technicality and not proceed to the discussion of merits,” Garcia told reporters.
Garcia explained that attaching a certified true copy of a COC is crucial in disqualification cases, as it confirms an individual’s candidacy. He also highlighted the importance of properly serving the petition to respondents to establish jurisdiction.
The dismissal is not final, as the petitioner, Virgilio Garcia, can file a motion for reconsideration (MR) with the Comelec First Division. If the MR is deemed sufficient in form, the case will be elevated to the Comelec en banc for further review.
The disqualification case also included ACT-CIS Rep. Jocelyn Pua-Tulfo, Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo, and Turismo Party-list nominee Wanda Tulfo-Teo. Virgilio Garcia argued that the Tulfo clan’s political dynasty status should disqualify them from running in the May 2025 elections.
ccto Inquirer net
Note: This AI-generated summary may contain inaccuracies. For complete context, refer to the full article.