Ben ‘Bitag’ Tulfo files COC for senator

MANILA, Philippines — Media personality Ben Tulfo formally launched yesterday his senatorial bid by filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) for the May 2025 national and local elections.

Tulfo, who will be running as an independent candidate, filed his COC at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) without any of his brothers.

After working as a journalist and helping people for more than two decades, Tulfo said he decided to run for public office so he could be part of the solution to the problems besetting the Filipino people.

“They (problems) keep coming back, so we decided to be part of the solution and that’s the reason why we’re here. There’s gonna be change,” Tulfo said.

“There’s a problem in our system. The problems of the people are not being solved,” he added.

With his “Bitag” action center, Tulfo said they were able to work with legislators in drafting several laws, including one that would prevent bank scams.

He was invited to join the senatorial slate of political parties, but Tulfo said the survey showed that it would be better for him to run as an independent candidate.

However, Tulfo revealed there are still offers from political parties to adopt him or to run as their guest candidate.

He added he does not need the permission of his younger brothers to run for public office.

Asked about the possibility of having three Tulfos in the Senate, he said they are brothers so they have the same blood running in their veins – and that is “public service.”

He shut down observations from critics that the Tulfos were forming a political dynasty in the Senate.

“Is it a sin to love our profession? Is that a dynasty? No, it’s not,” he stressed.

He added that what the Tulfo brothers are forming, if he gets elected to the Senate, is a “dynasty of helping people.”

Ben Tulfo and his brother ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo topped the September senatorial survey of Pulse Asia, while Raffy Tulfo is already serving in the Senate.

Whether Ben would vote independently as a senator or “block vote” with his brother depends on whether the issue would be for the greater good of the people.

Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) will not field its own senatorial slate next year, but it