Incoming Senator Erwin Tulfo revealed that both Senator-elect Vicente Tito Sotto III and Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero have reached out to him to about the Senate leadership ahead of the opening of the 20th Congress.

In an interview, Tulfo shared that Sotto had first raised the matter shortly after the elections.

“Doon sa campaign pa lang, he [Sotto] was saying, oh, magkasama tayo, ha? (Even during the campaign, he [Sotto] was already saying, 'Hey, we're in this together, okay?)” Tulfo recounted.

“Pero itong lately, after the elections, I think after May 12, sabi niya, pare, oh alam mo na, Sen[ator], kung saang grupo ka... usap tayo (But just recently, after the elections—I think after May 12—he said, ‘Pare, you already know, senator, which group you belong to… let’s talk),” he added.

Tulfo said he told Sotto, “Boss, pag-aaralan ko muna, usap muna kami ni Sen. Raffy (Boss, I’ll study it first, we’ll talk about it first with Sen. Raffy),” referring to his brother, Senator Raffy Tulfo.''

About a week later, Tulfo said Escudero reached out to him about the Senate leadership. He initially thought that he was going to talk about the impeachment.

Tulfo said that after he got the context of the conversation, he told Escudero, “Sige boss, pag-iisipan ko muna (Okay boss, I'll think over it first).”

Despite the approaches, Tulfo emphasized that he remains undecided on whom to support for Senate President.

“Up to this point, wala pa ako na napipili (I have not chosen anyone yet),” he said, noting that both Escudero and Sotto have accomplishments he respects.

He also confirmed that he has yet to consult his brother, Senator Tulfo, about the matter.

Tulfo added that while he and his brother may end up supporting the same candidate, their decision will ultimately be based on merit and performance, not personal relationships.

“Siguro isa lang ang susuportahan namin na candidate pero it doesn't mean to say pag sasabihin niyang ganito, kasi ilalatag ko naman sa kanya. For example lang sabihin niya dito tayo kay Sen. Chiz, sabihin ko sa kanya paano naman si Sen. Sotto, ito mga nagawa niya (Maybe we’ll end up supporting the same candidate, but that doesn’t mean I’ll automatically go with whoever he suggests, I’ll also lay out my own perspective. For example, if he says, 'Let’s support Sen. Chiz,' I’ll say, 'What about Sen. Sotto? Look at what he’s accomplished'),” he explained.

“It’s not because they are friends, di ba? The decision lies on the performance, kasi friendship, eh paano kung di naman pala magaling, di ba? Tingnan mo rin sa performance (It’s not because they’re friends, right? The decision should be based on performance, because if it’s just about friendship, what if the person turns out not to be competent? You also have to look at their performance),” he added.

Tulfo, a former media personality and public servant, noted that he has observed both Sotto and Escudero over the years.

“I've seen both — si Sen. Sotto nakita naman natin as Senate President, I was still in the media back then. Si Sen. Chiz naman nakikita ko na nasa Congress na ako, lalo na 'yung statements na binibitiwan niya kahit before siya naging Senate President. It’s very hard to be Senate President (I've seen both — we saw Sen. Sotto during his time as Senate President; I was still in the media back then. As for Sen. Chiz, I’ve observed him since I entered Congress, especially the statements he’s made even before becoming Senate President. It’s a very difficult role to take on),” he said.

The Senate leadership race continues to shape up as returning and reelected senators begin to align ahead of the formal start of the 20th Congress in July. Both Escudero and Sotto are viewed as experienced contenders for the Upper Chamber’s top post.

Tulfo also said he has not spoken again to either Sotto or Escudero in recent weeks due to the ongoing political developments, particularly the impeachment proceedings.

“I haven’t spoken to them again because everything got buried under the impeachment issue. I don’t want to disturb them. They’re exchanging statements, right? I don’t want to get involved in that or be the one to call and say, ‘Sir, I’m with you,’ or ‘Boss, I’m voting for you.’ That might just make things worse. Right now, they’re very busy—one is being attacked, the other is defending himself,” he said.

When asked if Senator Imee Marcos had contacted him about the Senate presidency, Tulfo responded, “No, I haven’t heard from her. Sen. Imee hasn't called me. She has my number, though. I wish she had called and said, ‘Senator, we were together during the campaign.’ The only ones who have called me so far are Sen. Chiz and Sen. Sotto.”

As for when he plans to make his decision, Tulfo said: “Probably this July. First week of July. Come ask me or text me then, and I’ll tell you.”