Latest news with #Tulfo
Filipino Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Tulfo Urges Probe, Penalties for Gov't Officials Tied to Online Gambling
Senator Raffy Tulfo has called for a thorough investigation and strict sanctions against government officials allegedly involved in the rise of online gambling in the Philippines. In a press briefing, Tulfo stressed that public officials should act in the interest of Filipinos, not in support of businesses that harm the public. He urged concerned agencies to file complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan against officials proven to be complicit. Tulfo also announced plans to file a bill seeking a total ban on all forms of online gambling in the country, including those accredited by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). He argued that mere regulation is not enough to curb the industry's harmful effects. He cited alarming reports of young students becoming addicted to online gambling, neglecting school, and even resorting to theft. 'It's time to step on the brakes,' he said, insisting that the social costs far outweigh potential government revenues, estimated at ₱140 billion. Tulfo expressed hope that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will address online gambling in his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA), calling it a pressing national issue.
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Health
- GMA Network
Erwin Tulfo seeks clarity from DOH on indigent patients funds
Senator Erwin Tulfo on Sunday sought clarity from the Department of Health (DOH) on the funds for indigent patients, following reports that some of their guarantee letters were denied even in government hospitals. 'This is unacceptable. For someone who is sick, every second counts. Asking them to wait is not an option,' Tulfo said in a statement. 'If you no longer have funds for indigent patients, say so. Don't give them false hope. These people didn't choose to get sick—let's not make their burden heavier,' Tulfo said. The Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients Program (MAIFIP) provides financial assistance for medical expenses to eligible beneficiaries. Tulfo also raised concerns the Health Dept. may have depleted its funds under the program. 'If there are no funds left, how did that happen? Congress approved sufficient funding for MAIFIP,' Tulfo said. He noted that some private hospitals in Region IV-A, particularly in Batangas, are considering suspending the acceptance of guarantee letters until the P530 million in allegedly unpaid claims is settled. GMA News Online has reached out to the DOH for comment. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
03-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Raffy Tulfo urges dedicated booths for students at LRT, MRT stations
Senator Raffy Tulfo has called on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to put up dedicated booths or lanes for students who will avail of their 50% fare discount at Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) stations. Tulfo, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services, said that based on the onsite inspections of his team at certain train stations, some students choose not to get the discount due to the "time-consuming and inconvenient process." The DOTr has increased the fare discount for all students, including those taking up postgraduate studies, from 20% to 50% for LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3, beginning June 20. To get the discounted rates, students are required to present their valid ID within the current school year. Their tickets must be purchased at the ticket counter to avail of the discounted rates. These are valid for single journey tickets only and not applicable for beep cards and stored value tickets. Upon hearing the students' concerns, Tulfo said separate ticket booths or lanes should be set up exclusively for students, apart from those for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and regular passengers. He also called on the DOTr to develop a more efficient student verification process that would no longer require manual form-filling, and to make the student discount applicable to beep cards. "The goal of the student fare discount is to make transportation more accessible to learners—not to create new obstacles for them or for other commuters," Tulfo said in a statement. Sought for comment on the matter, Transport Secretary Vince Dizon said he has already instructed the management teams of LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 to put up dedicated student lanes, as advised by the senator. As of Thursday, July 3, Dizon confirmed with GMA News Online that all stations at MRT-3 have already allocated a counter exclusively for students. "All [MRT-3] stations with dedicated student lane. LRT 1 [and] 2 will do the same," he said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
05-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Comelec affirms dismissal of DQ petition vs. Erwin Tulfo
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has upheld a decision junking a petition for the disqualification of incoming Senator Erwin Tulfo. In a seven-page resolution dated June 5, 2025, the poll body said the motion for reconsideration filed by Toto Bunyog Causing and Graft-free Philippines Foundation Inc. was rejected for having no merit. 'The Commission En Banc finds it unnecessary to discuss the same, considering that no merit has been found in any of the arguments raised in this Motion for Reconsideration,' the resolution read. Among the reasons the petitioners cited in Tulfo's disqualification case are his US citizenship and violation of the equal access to opportunities for public service. Comelec reiterated that 'lack of Philippine citizenship, violation of the equal access clause and the political dynasty prohibition, and failure to meet academic qualifications are not grounds for disqualification.' On May 23, the Comelec junked Tulfo's disqualification case over petitioners' failure to observe certain requirements.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
28-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Comelec en banc affirms ruling dismissing DQ case vs Tulfos
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc has upheld a decision rejecting a petition for disqualification against five members of the Tulfo family, who sought seats in the Senate and House of Representatives in Eleksyon 2025, for procedural defect. In a six-paged decision issued Wednesday, the poll body junked the motion for reconsideration (MR) filed by lawyer Virgilio Garcia, who had questioned the ruling of the Comelec First Division in March denying the disqualification petition against ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo, broadcast journalist Ben Tulfo, ACT-CIS Representative Jocelyn Pua-Tulfo, Quezon City 2nd District Representative Ralph Tulfo, and former Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo Teo, the nominee of the Turismo party-list in the recent May 12 polls. Erwin, Ben and Wanda are siblings, while Jocelyn and Ralph are the wife and son, respectively, of another Tulfo sibling, Raffy, who is an incumbent senator. Erwin ranked fourth in the Senate race while his brother, Ben, lost. Ralph won his reeelection bid while the Turismo party-list failed to secure seat in the House of Representatives. Jocelyn's party-list got two seats, and she was the second nominee of the group. Political dynasty? Garcia earlier said the Tulfo candidacies constituted a political dynasty, which is prohibited under the 1987 Constitution. He likewise questioned their nationality. His petition was dismissed due to his alleged failure to submit all the required documents, including the respondents' certificates of candidacy (COC). 'The Motion for Reconsideration is denied…The assailed Order was neither without sufficient basis found in the records, nor contrary to law,' the decision reads. 'Procedural rules are not to be disdained as mere technicalities that may be ignored at will to suit the convenience of a party. They are fundamental to the orderly administration of justice and are particularly vital in election cases, where the prompt and fair resolution of disputes is imperative,' it said. The en banc added: 'In this case, the Petitioner's failure to attach the COCs of the Respondents is a serious procedural defect, not a mere lapse. The COC is the document that formally establishes a candidate's eligibility, the position sought, and the declaration of qualifications. Without it, the Commission is left to speculate on the very information alleged in the Petition, depriving it of a concrete basis for evaluation'. The Comelec en banc likewise said the allegations of political dynasty against the candidacy of the Tulfo family is 'bereft of legal basis' as there is no enabling law against political dynasties. It also said Garcia failed to submit credible or admissible evidence that would support his accusations of the citizenship of the Eleksyon 2025 bets. 'Citizenship is a legal status that is presumed to subsist unless shown otherwise by clear and affirmative proof. The records are devoid of any document or credible evidence establishing that Respondents have acquired foreign citizenship, renounced their Filipino nationality, or otherwise lost their status as natural-born Filipino citizens,' it said. 'Mere assertions regarding their alleged prolonged residence abroad, unsubstantiated by documentary proof, do not suffice to overcome the presumption of citizenship. Well-settled is the rule that mere allegation is not evidence, and he who alleges has the burden of proving his allegation with the requisite quantum of evidence,' it added. In February, Virgilio Garcia asked the Comelec to disqualify the respondents from the May elections. For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite. For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
