Erwin Teshiba Tulfo
Erwin Teshiba Tulfo, born on October 6, 1963, is a Filipino politician, media personality, and former government official from Tacloban, Leyte. Currently serving as a representative for ACT-CIS Partylist and a Deputy House Majority Leader since 2023, Tulfo has had a varied career in both media and public service. He was appointed as Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in June 2022, but his tenure was brief as he was twice bypassed by the Commission on Appointments over issues regarding his American citizenship and a libel conviction. Prior to his government service, Tulfo was a prominent television and radio broadcaster, hosting programs such as 'T3' with his brothers Ben and Raffy, 'Tutok Tulfo' (2010-2012), and anchoring the news program 'Aksyon' from 2010 to 2017. He comes from the influential Tulfo family, with his brother Raffy currently serving as a Senator, while another brother, Ben, is also running for the Senate in the 2025 elections. In 2024, Tulfo joined the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party and was officially named to the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate for the 2025 Senate election.
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, University of the East (2005)
Career Highlights
- ACT-CIS Representative (2023-present)
- Deputy House Majority Leader (2023-present)
- Secretary of Social Welfare and Development (June 2022–December 2022)
- Television and Radio Broadcaster (various programs including T3, Tutok Tulfo, Aksyon)
- News Anchor for TV5's 'Aksyon' (2010-2017)
Key Platforms
Social Welfare Expansion
Aims to expand the DSWD's Sufficient Livelihood Program (SLP) to provide capital assistance not only to poor households but also to qualified jobless individuals or those with insufficient income.
Middle Class Empowerment
Focuses on empowering the middle class through higher wages, more benefits, and improved retirement benefits for private sector employees who he believes are often overlooked in social programs.
Healthcare Accessibility
Advocates for improved healthcare access, including urging PhilHealth to provide female members with annual free medical tests such as mammograms and ultrasounds. Filed the Universal Medical Access and Equipment bill in February 2025, proposing to equip all public hospitals with more medical equipment.
West Philippine Sea Protection
Filed a resolution calling on the United Nations General Assembly to intervene in response to China's activities in the West Philippine Sea. Supports U.S. assistance in Philippine Coast Guard resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre at Second Thomas Shoal.
Infrastructure Development
Co-introduced the 'Accelerated Infrastructure Development Bill' proposing round-the-clock operations for priority government infrastructure projects such as road and bridge repairs. Also proposed legislation to penalize road rage.
Track Record
DSWD Leadership
During his brief tenure as DSWD Secretary in 2022, led efforts to expedite the process for issuing Duty-Exempt Importation Certifications for foreign donations to disaster-stricken areas. Also initiated rescue operations for indigenous peoples from homelessness in urban centers and provided their families with financial aid.
Human Rights Advocacy
Co-authored a bill in 2024 strengthening the Commission on Human Rights' mandate, enhancing its structural, operational, and functional independence.
Youth Rehabilitation
Advocated for the rehabilitation of minors by proposing the creation of youth rehabilitation centers for street children as DSWD secretary in 2022. Later co-authored a bill seeking to build rehabilitation centers for delinquent minors in provinces.
Anti-Red Tape Initiatives
Worked with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) during his DSWD leadership to streamline government processes, particularly for disaster response.
Disaster Relief
Led disaster relief efforts after a fire incident in Quezon City in September 2022 during his time as DSWD Secretary.
Legal Cases & Controversies
Libel Conviction
In 2008, Tulfo was found guilty by the Supreme Court of the Philippines of four counts of libel, which later became an issue during his confirmation hearings as DSWD Secretary in 2022.
DSWD Secretary Controversy
In 2019, before becoming DSWD Secretary, Tulfo faced backlash for cursing and threatening to physically assault then-DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista on air when the latter was unavailable for an interview. Tulfo called Bautista 'buang' (crazy) on his radio program, which led to the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines recalling security details assigned to the Tulfo brothers. Tulfo later apologized for the incident.
Citizenship Issues
Faced scrutiny over his American citizenship during confirmation hearings as DSWD Secretary in 2022. Tulfo claimed he had renounced his US citizenship prior to his appointment, but this remained a point of contention that contributed to his being bypassed by the Commission on Appointments.
Disinformation Allegations
In September 2017, then-Senator Sonny Trillanes threatened to sue Tulfo and media personality Mocha Uson for spreading 'fake news' regarding his alleged foreign bank accounts. In December 2021, fact-checking organization Vera Files reported that Tulfo falsely claimed that broadcast and online news media did not cover a Nueva Ecija campaign caravan of then-presidential and vice-presidential aspirants Marcos and Duterte.
Positions on Key Issues
| Issue | Position |
|---|---|
| Economy | Advocates for expanded livelihood assistance programs to help not only the poor but also middle-class and unemployed citizens. Focuses on higher wages, better benefits, and improved retirement packages for private sector employees. |
| Education | Participated in initiatives to provide financial support for education of indigent families. In January 2025, helped distribute P7,000 to indigent families for education support as part of the Sustainable Livelihood Program. |
| Healthcare | Pushes for improved healthcare access, including free annual medical tests for female PhilHealth members. Proposed the Universal Medical Access and Equipment bill to better equip public hospitals with essential medical equipment like x-ray, ECG, and ultrasound machines. |
| Environment | Has criticized the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Mines and Geosciences Bureau for alleged inaction following a deadly landslide in a Davao de Oro mining village. However, has not made extensive public statements on broader environmental policies. |
| Labor | Advocates for better wages and benefits for workers, particularly focusing on the middle class and private sector employees. Emphasizes the need for improved retirement benefits for those in the private sector. |
| Agriculture | Limited specific information available on his agricultural policies for the 2025 election. |
| Governance | Despite having multiple family members in elected positions, has expressed support for anti-dynasty legislation. Worked to reduce bureaucratic red tape in government processes during his DSWD tenure. |
| Foreign Policy | Takes a strong stance against Chinese activities in the West Philippine Sea, filing a resolution calling for UN intervention. Supports U.S. assistance in Philippine Coast Guard operations in contested waters. |
| Charter Change | Limited specific information available on his position regarding Charter Change for the 2025 election. |
| Lgbtq Rights | Expressed support for the SOGIE Equality Bill during congressional deliberations in September 2024, while noting his Catholic background. |
| Drug War | As a representative of ACT-CIS (Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support Party-list), likely supports strong anti-crime measures, though has not been extensively involved in public discussions about the drug war specifically. |
| Icc | Limited specific information available on his position regarding the ICC investigation for the 2025 election. |
Sources & Citations
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erwin_Tulfo
- https://www.rappler.com/philippines/elections/erwin-tulfo-files-certificate-canddiacy-senator-2025/
- https://rollingstonephilippines.com/state-of-affairs/2025-philippine-elections-senatorial-primer-erwin-tulfo/
- https://www.rappler.com/people/p54824881-erwin-tulfo/
- https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/inside-track/erwin-tulfo-eyes-fill-vacant-congressional-seat-act-cis-resignation/
- https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1175473
- https://verafiles.org/articles/erwin-tulfo
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/936536/comelec-tulfo-disqualification-case-eleksyon-2025/story/
This profile is regularly updated with verified information from reliable sources. Last updated: April 24, 2025