Comelec halts Erwin Tulfo’s proclamation as party-list nominee due to DQ petition

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 2) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has suspended the proclamation of former social welfare secretary Erwin Tulfo as the nominee of the Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) Party-list, citing a disqualification petition filed against him.

In a statement released Wednesday, Comelec said the petition for disqualification against Tulfo is due to allegations pertaining to “question of citizenship" and "conviction by final judgment of a crime involving moral turpitude.”

According to the Comelec, Tulfo’s disqualification was sought by Atty. Moises Tolentino Jr. The petition was filed on Feb. 28.

The poll body explained that under Section 8, Rule 5 of Comelec Resolution No. 9366, a nominee’s proclamation may be suspended “if the evidence in the Petition for Disqualification is strong and such remains unresolved.”

Tulfo’s disqualification case is set to be raffled to a division for the conduct of hearings on March 6.

House Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe last Feb. 22 announced that ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Jeffrey Soriano resigned, prompting Tulfo’s nomination as a replacement in the House of Representatives.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Tulfo twice as social welfare secretary, but it was not confirmed by the Commission on Appointments amid Tulfo’s libel conviction and questions over his citizenship.