MANILA, Philippines —The Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) has dismissed the quo warranto petition seeking the removal of Senator Erwin Tulfo, and the lawmaker welcomed the ruling as a reaffirmation of his eligibility to serve. 

The tribunal junked the case on March 25, 2026, citing “insufficiency in form” and failure to meet basic procedural requirements.

The petition was filed by lawyer Berteni Cataluña Causing in July 2025, questioning Tulfo’s citizenship and eligibility to sit in the Senate. However, the SET, chaired by Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, ruled that the petition did not meet the standards required under Rule 23(a) of the 2020 SET Rules, which allows for summary dismissal if a petition is insufficient in form or substance.

In a statement, Tulfo expressed relief and gratitude over the decision. “I thank God that this case that was repeatedly thrown at me has been dismissed,” he said, adding that the ruling validated earlier decisions clearing his eligibility. He also thanked the tribunal members for “carefully reviewing and finally dismissing this case based on the pieces of evidence my lawyer submitted.”

The resolution was signed by Justice Leonen along with Senators Pia Cayetano, Robin Padilla, Kiko Pangilinan, and Bam Aquino, who are members of the tribunal. The dismissal effectively shuts the door on attempts to challenge Tulfo’s Senate seat, which had been clouded by allegations of dual citizenship and questions about his qualifications.

Tulfo, a former broadcaster turned lawmaker, has faced multiple challenges to his eligibility since winning a Senate seat in 2025. This latest ruling strengthens his position in the chamber and is expected to quiet critics who have repeatedly questioned his qualifications.

The decision marks a significant victory for Tulfo, who has maintained that he is fully qualified to serve and that the repeated petitions against him were politically motivated. With the SET’s dismissal, he can now focus on his legislative agenda without the looming threat of disqualification.