The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division has denied the Motion for Reconsideration (MR) filed by Atty. Moises Tolentino, Jr. in relation to the petition for disqualification he filed against Erwin Tulfo, the nominee next in line of the ACT-CIS party-list group.
In its 26-page resolution promulgated on July 12, 2023, the Second Division denied the MR for being filed out of time.
It also stated that it finds no compelling reason to reverse or modify the assailed resolution of the Second Division dismissing the petition.
"Since the Petitioner's MR of the Resolution of the Second Division was belatedly filed, the said Resolution became final and executory by operation of law. In other words, Petitioner's failure to file his MR within the 3-day period foreclosed any right which he may have," the resolution read.
On the other hand, the Second Division added that if procedural rules may be relaxed, and they shall consider the MR filed by the petitioner, it could still not be acted upon for lack of jurisdiction.
In its resolution promulgated on May 25, the Second Division dismissed the petition for disqualification for "lack of jurisdiction" stating that it was filed beyond the period prescribed under the rules.
Tolentino filed the disqualification case against Tulfo on allegations pertaining to the "question of citizenship" and "conviction by final judgment of a crime involving moral turpitude".
He argued in his petition that there are serious doubts regarding the citizenship of Tulfo. He cited the confirmation hearings conducted by the Commission on Appointments for his appointment as the Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) where the respondent admitted that he used to be a member of the United States (US) Army. To become a member of the US Army, an applicant must be a US citizen or a permanent resident with a valid green card.
Tulfo is next in life after the resignation of Rep. Jeffrey Soriano of the ACT-CIS party list was accepted by the House of Representatives (HOR) on Feb. 22, 2023.
Tulfo took his oath of office on May 30 as the third nominee of the ACT-CIS Party-list. House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Mannix Dalipe administered Tulfo's oath.