3 Tulfos in House?

MANILA, Philippines — Former social welfare secretary Erwin Tulfo will likely assume the post left by resigned ACT-CIS party-list congressman Jeffrey Soriano, bringing to three the Tulfos occupying seats in the House of Representatives.

Sources said Tulfo, who was bypassed as Department of Social Welfare and Development chief by the Commission on Appointments over questions regarding his citizenship and his libel conviction, would replace Soriano, whose resignation was announced by House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Rep. Mannix Dalipe on Wednesday.

The reason for Soriano’s resignation was not disclosed.

ACT-CIS, or the Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support, topped the May 2022 polls, but under the law, a group is allowed only three seats in the House. Erwin was then its fourth nominee.

With Erwin replacing Soriano, there would be three Tulfos in the lower chamber as he would be joining his sister-in-law Jocelyn Tulfo, wife of Sen. Raffy Tulfo, and Edvic Yap, who are the incumbent representatives of ACT-CIS.

Jocelyn is the mother of Quezon City District 2 Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo.