ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Senatorial survey leader ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo says no amount of money can guarantee an election victory. 

But if destiny is involved, it's another matter entirely. 

“Ilang beses niyo na naririnig ito (I know you've heard this multiple times). It's called destiny. If it's really for you, it's for you. If it's not, it's not," Rep. Tulfo, the deputy majority leader for communications, told reporters on Thursday, July 18. 

"Kahit anong gawin mo, anong gumastos ka ng milyon-milyon, kung hindi talaga para sa’yo, it's not for you,” noted the popular broadcast journalist-turned-congressman. 

(Whatever you do, even if you spend millions, if it's not meant for you, then it's not for you.) 

The same day, it was reported that Rep. Tulfo was the clear-cut topnotcher in OCTA Research's 2025 Elections Senatorial Preferences survey, which was carried out from June 26 to July 1, 2024. 

Survey results showed that 58 percent of the pollsters said they would vote for Rep. Tulfo for senator if the elections were held today. 

Coming in as second most preferred "senatoriable" was Rep. Tulfo's own brother, fellow broadcaster Ben Tulfo, with a 45 percent preference rate. 

But hold your horses--the Tulfo brothers don't have plans to run for senator, at least according to the congressman in the family. 

I'm enjoying what I'm doing in Congress right now. So, right now ha, I don't have plans to go there (Senate),” Rep. Tulfo said. 

"We're just shrugging it off. Nag-uusap naman kami kung anong plano (We're talking about what our plans would be). Pero for now [But for now], the plan is just I'll stay with ACT-CIS. Wala pa kaming plano (We don't have plans yet). I'll still be the third nominee,” he added. 

Another member of their brood, Raffy Tulfo, is already a senator, having been elected in 2022. 

It was only last year that Rep. Tulfo became a member of the House of Representatives, which along with the Senate comprise the bicameral Philippine legislature. 

The filing of the certificates of candidacy (COC) for the 2025 poll aspirants will begin in October.