‘WE’RE NOT INTERESTED IN THE PRESIDENCY’—SEN. ERWIN TULFO

Vows to be a ‘fair judge’ during VP Sara’s impeachment

On May 10, 2026

“WE are content here at the Senate; do not include us in presidential surveys; leave us alone.”

This was the summary of the position of Senator Erwin Tulfo (SET) and his elder brother, Sen. Raffy Tulfo, as he downplayed speculations that they are interested in seeking higher positions as most political parties and personalities position themselves ahead of the national elections in 2028.

The younger Tulfo and chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee made their position known in reaction to a commissioned survey released Pulse Asia early this month showing that Raffy Tulfo is “tied” at 46 percent with Vice President Sara Duterte in voters’ preference nationwide if the presidential contest is held today.

The ‘rider questions’ on voters’ preference for president conducted between February 27 and March 2, was commissioned by former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Pulse Asia said.

The same survey showed that Vice President Sara Duterte would defeat all her rivals in a multi-candidate presidential contest.

Aside from the elder Tulfo, the same survey showed that no other potential presidential candidate would beat the Vice President. The names include former Vice President Lenie Robredo (who lost to President Marcos Jr. in 2022) and her ‘Pinklawan’ allies, Senator Bam Aquino and Senator Risa Hontiveros and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who is reportedly already being ‘groomed’ to lead the Marcos administration ticket in 2028.

The same survey also indicates that other than a one-on-one race for the presidency against Tulfo, the Vice President would overwhelm other candidates pitted against her as the votes fragment in favor of other names.

Do not include us in surveys, please

Based on the transcript of the ambush interview last May 5 released by his office, SET also appealed to the public and survey firms to no longer include his and his brother’s name on any future surveys as the results only tend to generate intrigues and “bashings” in social media.

Senator Rafffy Tulfo says he has no presidential ambition and would just seek reelection in 2028 (photo: Senate PRIB).

“Magpapasok na naman po yung mga bashers, mga trolls.

“Wala naman po talagang kaplano-plano yung kapatid ko. I was talking to him last night. Or sino man po sa amin to run for higher office (in) 2028.

“Okay na po kami dito sa Senado. We’re happy na makatulong. We craft laws. Pero po sa survey, pakiusap po namin nii Sen. Raffy, ako po myself, baka puwede po sa mga susunod na survey, huwag na po muna isama yung mga pangalan po namin,” Tulfo said.

In a separate interview, Sen. Raffy also made emphatic his position that he is not interested in the presidency, no matter what the present surveys showed about his chances.

“Well, first of all, with all humility, I’m grateful for the trust. But I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I have no plans to run for president in 2028,” Sen. Raffy told Senate reporters.

“I believe I’m doing very well as a senator and I can do a lot more as a senator. Therefore, you can expect that I will be a re-electionist in 2028,” he added.

Senator Raffy landed in third place in the 2022 elections, after Senator Robin Padilla, who topped the race, followed by Senator Loren Legarda. He is eligible for re-election in 2028.

On the other hand, SET placed fourth in the 2025 midterm elections and is entitled to another 6-years term come the 3031 midterm polls.

“I will be a ‘fair judge’ during impeachment”

Meanwhile, with Congress expected to transmit the impeachment complaint against the Vice President anytime and with the Senate already agreed on three alternate days of trial (M-W-F), SET assured who would based his decision on the evidence provided in the complaint.

He said he would raise questions foremost in the public’s mind without any political bias.

“Ako po magtatanong kung ano mga nasa isip ng taumbayan. It doesn’t matter kung pro-Sara ka, pro-Marcos ka, it doesn’t matter anymore.

“I mean as a judge, you have to be fair. You make your decisions based on the documents or pieces of evidence that you have.

“Yung prosecutors, I’m sure that they will present these pieces of evidence then papasagutin po natin yung defense. O sabi niya ganito, anong sagot mo rito? Di po ba?

“They (camp of the Vice President) will have a day in court.”