Quo warranto petition filed vs Tulfo over citizenship issue

National

A QUO warranto petition has been filed before the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) questioning the eligibility of Senator Erwin Tulfo to hold office due to alleged issues surrounding his citizenship.

The petition was formally lodged on July 15, 2025, by lawyer Berteni “Toto” Causing, who claimed that Tulfo once held U.S. citizenship and failed to properly reacquire his Filipino citizenship before running for the Senate.

According to SET Deputy Secretary Atty. Eleanor Francisco-Anunciacion, the petition seeks to determine whether Tulfo validly met the citizenship and residency requirements under the Constitution.

The case will undergo deliberation by the nine-member tribunal composed of senators and Supreme Court justices.

Tulfo confirmed awareness of the petition and said he is ready to face the legal challenge.

“We will continue working. This is part of the process,” Tulfo said in a statement. He added that he trusts the tribunal to resolve the matter fairly and based on the law.

Legal experts note that a quo warranto proceeding is different from disqualification petitions—it directly questions a sitting official’s right to occupy their position. If the SET rules in favor of the petitioner, Tulfo could be unseated from the Senate. However, until a final decision is issued, he remains in office and continues his legislative duties.

The case has drawn public attention, given Tulfo’s high-profile background as a broadcaster and former DSWD Secretary. Supporters say the petition is politically motivated, while critics argue it raises valid constitutional questions.(Victoria Diana, USJ-R Comm Intern)