MANILA, Philippines – The issue about political dynasties is back in the limelight because of the May 12, 2025, midterm elections, where a number of those seeking positions are part of a political family.

What, exactly, is a political family—better known as a political dynasty? According to the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, “political dynasty can be described as a family with at least two of its members securing at least one elected position in at least two elections.”

The CPBRD also stated that “the simultaneity condition (i.e., at least two of its members occupying at least two positions) accommodates conventional definitions of political dynasties as families that have multiple members simultaneously occupying multiple elected positions.”

Wikipedia also defined a political dynasty, often referred to as a political family, as “a family in which multiple members are involved in politics – particularly electoral politics. Members may be related by blood or marriage; often several generations or multiple siblings may be involved.”

Not According to a Tulfo

Senatorial candidate Ben Tulfo has a different view about political dynasties, as he does not consider their family as belonging to a political dynasty, even if his two brothers and a nephew are elected officials.

“Sa aking pananaw, dinastiya ba kaming tatlo? Paano kami magkakaroon ng dinastiya, e wala kaming baluarte kung kami ay nasa Senado – nasyonal yan e. Hindi mo pwedeng kontrolin ang tao doon sa Visayas at Mindanao,” Tulfo said.

“Ang dinastiya meron kang baluarte at sa baluarte na ‘yan ay magpapalitan lang kayo. ‘Yun ang dinastiya – may batas ba tayo diyan? Meron naman, e bakit hindi napapatupad? Ewan ko lang kung bakit. Bakit niyo sa akin tinatanong,” Tulfo said.

Another Tulfo, Erwin, is seeking a senatorial seat, while their sister, Wanda, is running for a party-list seat. Their brother, Raffy, is currently serving as senator, while his son is seeking a second term as representative for the 2nd District of Quezon City. Senator Raffy’s wife, Jocelyn, is representing ACT-CIS Partylist.

Political Dynasty, the Constitution, and the Absence of a Law

Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “the state shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

To answer Ben Tulfo’s question, “bakit hindi napapatupad” if there is a law, the answer is that there is still no enabling law to prohibit political dynasties since the 8th Congress of the Philippines. The 8th Congress of the Philippines was the first Congress after the ratification of the 1987 Constitution.

Several bills have been filed in relation to the prohibition of political dynasties since 1987, but none of those bills have been passed both by the Senate and the House of Representatives. It can be noted that the majority of government positions are held by politicians who are members of political dynasties.

PCIJ: 75% of City Mayors Are Dynasts

According to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), at least 113 of the 149 city mayors belong to political dynasties, while only a few are non-dynasts. This means 75% of city mayors are dynasts.

“A total of 80, or about 5% of all city mayors, are dynasts seeking reelection. Meanwhile, 27 sitting city mayors are considering relatives to replace them as most of them run for other positions,” PCIJ research stated.

The research also said that “in some cities where non-dynast mayors lead, members of political dynasties are gearing up to unseat the incumbents.”

Previous PCIJ research shows “that political dynasties have also swarmed the congressional district, party-list, and gubernatorial races.”

Based on recent research, “PCIJ’s initial scan of candidates who filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) in October 2024 shows that at least two dozen political dynasties are aiming for five to 11 seats after May 2025.”

Tulfo—Not a Dynasty?

Here’s a list of the Tulfo family members who are either running for elected posts or are already elected into position:

1. Senator Raffy Tulfo
2. ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo – Senatorial candidate
3. Rep. Ralph Walden Tulfo (son of Sen. Raffy Tulfo) – 2nd District, Quezon City, seeking a second term
4. ACT-CIS Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo (wife of Sen. Raffy Tulfo)
5. Ben Tulfo – Senatorial candidate
6. Wanda Tulfo-Teo (sister) – Turismo Partylist first nominee

If this is not a political dynasty, then what should it be called?

📷 FB pages of Raffy Tulfo, Erwin Tulfo, Ralph Walden Tulfo, Jocelyn Tulfo, Ben Tulfo, and Wanda Tulfo-Teo