![“The Pharmally case... there are 46 respondents [in our complaint], kaya medyo matagal. And many of them have become invisible. Para bang they're trying to evade the jurisdiction of this body,” says Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla.](https://www.panaynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/plunder_copy_resized_resized-218x150.jpg "Ombudsman presses P11-B Pharmally plunder case But 23 respondents missing— Remulla")
MANILA — Sen. Erwin Tulfo has survived another legal challenge to his Senate seat. The Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) voted 6-3 to reject an appeal seeking his removal over alleged citizenship issues, although the tribunal left the door open for a fresh petition questioning his eligibility.
The ruling effectively upheld the dismissal of a quo warranto petition filed by Berteni Cataluña Causing, who sought to unseat Tulfo over allegations that the senator holds American citizenship and is therefore ineligible to occupy a seat in the Philippine Senate.
However, the tribunal clarified that its rejection of the motion for reconsideration would not prevent the filing of another petition, leaving the citizenship controversy potentially open to further legal proceedings.
According to a statement signed by SET Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo, the tribunal denied Causing’s motion because of procedural deficiencies, including his failure to comply with filing and service requirements under the SET’s 2020 rules.
The tribunal also found that the motion for reconsideration was filed beyond the prescribed deadline, while the amended petition remained deficient in form.
The decision centered on procedural grounds rather than a definitive resolution of the allegations concerning Tulfo’s citizenship and qualifications for public office.
Causing had challenged Tulfo’s eligibility on the grounds of his supposed American citizenship, alleging that the senator had demonstrated disloyalty to the Philippines and allegiance to the United States.
The petitioner also questioned Tulfo’s educational qualifications and raised allegations concerning his supposed membership in a political dynasty.
The latest SET ruling marks another setback for Causing, who had previously attempted to prevent Tulfo from running for senator in the May 2025 midterm elections.
That earlier disqualification petition raised several issues concerning Tulfo’s qualifications, including a libel conviction dating back to 2008.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) subsequently dismissed two petitions seeking Tulfo’s disqualification after finding that the petitioners had failed to comply with certain procedural requirements./PN
