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Comelec junks DQ case vs Erwin Tulfo

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has dismissed a petition to disqualify Senator-elect Erwin Tulfo in the May 2025 midterm elections. In a 25-page decision dated Thursday, the Second Division said the disqualification case filed by Toto Causing and Graft-Free Philippines Foundation Inc. (GFPFI) against Tulfo was junked over petitioners' failure to observe certain requirements. 'The Petition is DISMISSED,' it said. 'At the onset, it is imperative to settle the procedural issues raised by Respondent alleging Petitioners' failure to observe certain requirements under the rules, and such failure warrants the outright dismissal of the Petition for insufficiency in form,' it added. The certificate of candidacy (COC) submitted by the petitioners has no affidavit of authentication. There is also no secretary's certificate. 'Respondent pointed out that Petitioners attached an electronic copy of Respondent's COC downloaded from the COMELEC website sans an Affidavit of Authentication in accordance with Section 4 (2) of COMELEC Resolution No. 11046,' the Second Division said. 'Additionally, Respondent also pointed out that there is no Secretary Certificate showing that Petitioner Calonge was duly authorized by Petitioner GFPFI, a juridical entity, to sign on its behalf the Verification and Certification of Non-Forum Shopping, in accordance with Section 5 of Rule 7 of the Rules of Court,' it added. Causing's group called for Tulfo's disqualification in the 2025 senatorial race for having been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude and not being a Filipino citizen. The petitioners cited alleged violation of the Section 26 of Article II of the 1987 Constitution on equal access to opportunities to public service, the political dynasty provisions, and nepotism. Also, they said Section 1 of Article XI of the 1987 Constitution was violated for failing to prove his academic qualification or ability to serve the People of the Philippines with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency. 'In view of the multiple grounds already established for the dismissal of the Petition, the other matters and issues raised by the parties no longer merit any consideration,' the Second Division said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.