Several Facebook posts are claiming that Sen. Raffy Tulfo and Sen. Erwin Tulfo threatened to launch a joint presidential and vice-presidential campaign in 2028 if supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte do not stop maligning them. This is false.
The post published on June 28 has a caption that says:
“Anong masasabi niyo (What can you say)?”
The post contains a graphic card with a photo of the Tulfo brothers with the text:
“Kapag hindi titigil ang mga kulto ni Duterte na siraan kaming magkapatid ay mapipilitan kaming tatakbo sa presidential at vice presidential tatambalang Tulfo Tulfo sa 2028
(If Duterte’s supporters continue to malign us, we will be compelled to seek the presidency and vice presidency in a unified ticket in 2028).”
Both brothers have already declared they have no interest in running for higher office.
In a May 6 interview, Sen. Raffy remained firm that he will not run for president after tying with Vice President Sara Duterte at 46 percent in a mock one-on-one presidential matchup in a Pulse Asia survey.
“Ako po’y nagpapasalamat sa tiwala, pero I said it before and I am going to say it again: wala po akong balak na tumakbo as president sa 2028. However, I believe I am doing very well as senator, and I can do a lot more as senator. Therefore maasahan niyo na reelectionist ako sa 2028
(I am deeply grateful for the trust, but I have said it before and I am going to say it again: I have no intention of running for president in 2028. However, I believe I am doing very well as a senator, and I can do a lot more in this role. Therefore, you can expect that I will be running for reelection in 2028).”
Further, Sen. Erwin called for political polling firms to exclude him and his brother from 2028 presidential surveys, stating they have zero interest in the top executive spots.
“Huwag niyo kaming isama-sama sa survey na ‘yan. Tapos may lumabas pa… tapos mga pahayag ng mga political analysts na ‘only a Tulfo can beat the Dutertes.’ Hindi naman po kami interesado
(Stop including us in those surveys. Political analysts have even released statements claiming that ‘only a Tulfo can beat the Dutertes.’ We are not interested).”
He made this statement on June 9 after the allegations made by 18 bagmen in the flood control scandal, clarifying that the accusations are a politically motivated smear campaign to target them due to their top rankings in early election polls.
The false post surfaced after the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing led by the Cayetano bloc where the 18 bagmen testified that they had delivered luggages full of cash kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects to several lawmakers, including Sen. Erwin Tulfo.
The senator subsequently filed a complaint ofv grave oral defamation against three of the accusers.
Posted by FB users, the falsely reposted posts have so far collectively garnered 5,053 reactions, 2,369 comments, and 57 shares.
