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

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga--Did ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo just take a swipe at a certain Senate race topnotcher?

This question was left on the minds of journalists covering the campaign trail here, as they tried to peer into Tulfo's state of mind following his drop from no.1 to no.2 spot among "senatoriables" in mid-term elections next month, at least according to some surveys.

"I'm happy where I'm at right now. Nagpapasalamat kami sa mga kababayan natin because from nowhere, actually for several months, naging number one tayo (Actually I thank my countrymen because we were number one for several months, despite us starting from nowhere)," Tulfo told reporters.

"But it doesn't matter anymore. Why do we have to gun for top one, di ba (right)? Ang importante (What’s important is), you will perform in the Senate," said the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial bet.

"Nakakahiya naman, top one ka pero wala kang performance. Sasabihin lang nasayang yung boto namin (It would be embarrassing if you get the top spot but don't justify it with your performance. The people will say that their votes were wasted)," Tulfo said, without mentioning anybody.

"So ayaw kong sabihin non. I will just show them na yung bumoto ho sa akin na hindi ho masasayang yung boto nila. But it doesn't matter anymore; [top] one, two, three. Basta pumasok ka dun," the broadcaster-turned-congressman said.

(I don't want to be told off like that. I will just show them that voting for me was worth it. But it doesn't matter anymore; [top] one, two, three. As long as you enter the winners' circle.)

The winners' circle in every Senate race refers to the top 12 candidates with the most votes. The administration-backed Alyansa slate has 11 bets.

After months of dominating pre-election surveys as its topnotcher, Tulfo has given up the no.1 spot to reelectionist Senator Christopher "Bong" Go of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipinas-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

"What is important is, pumasok ka doon, magawa mo yung mga dapat mong gawin, yung maayos. Nag-ikot po tayo sa buong Pilipinas and I heard what the people are saying (What is important is, you enter the winners' circle, and you perform your job properly. I've travelled the entire country and I heard what the people are saying)," explained Tulfo.

He said the people spoke about their problems on high food prices, health, and education.

"And we will...not only we will, but we must deliver, kasi hinihingi yun ng mga kababayan natin (because that is what our countrymen want)," Tulfo said.