Senator Erwin Tulfo on Thursday, February 19 dismissed speculations he can be an ideal running mate of former vice president and incumbent Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, saying he has no plans to run for a higher position in the 2028 national elections.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo seeks updates from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and other government agencies on the enforcement of rules and regulations concerning the proliferation of online gambling. During Tuesday’s hearing, September 16, 2025, of the Committee on Games and Amusement, Tulfo cited the previous discussion of the committee specifically on the inability to fully regulate the activities of the Philippine Inland Gaming Operators (PIGOs). (Senate PRIB photo)

Tulfo made the remark after a political analyst floated a “Leni-Erwin” tandem that could potentially run against Vice President Sara Duterte, who just recently announced her bid for the 2028 presidential race.

“Nakakataba po ng puso pero (It’s flattering but) I don’t have plans eh. Whatever it is, ‘yun lang ang makakatalo,’ (the tandem to beat) kahit sino pa man dyan, pero (whoever that could be) I would say thank you pero (but) I’m kind of tired,” Tulfo told reporters in an interview at the sidelines of a Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing.

“Hindi pa nga tapos sa 2025, last year, nakita nyo naman, kaliwat-kanan ang batikos, demanda sa Comelec, left and right, then papasukin ko na naman ito. Magkakaroon na naman ng issues. Ayaw na po ng family namin ng gulo (2025 is not even over yet, as you can see, criticisms are hurled at us left and right, the lawsuits are coming from the Commission on Elections, then I will run again? There will be issues raised against us again. But our family doesn’t want any more trouble),” he said.

Tulfo also said his brother, fellow Sen. Raffy Tulfo is also not keen on running for any higher position in the 2028 polls, and only want to run for re-election.

“Me too, and we have discussed that already. I don’t have pluns to run for higher office. Your family is also affected,” he pointed out.

He said it is up to Robredo to decide whether she will run again for the presidency or not.

It is also up to the former vice president to choose whom she wants to be her possible running mate if ever she decides to do so.

“Maraming magagaling dyan (There are many better candidates). I can suggest (Sen. Paolo) Bam Aquino, Sen. Risa Hontiveros. Maraming magagaling dyan na mga pwede maging vice ni VP Leni (There are many potential individuals out there who could become VP Leni's vice),” he said.

“Siguro kung walang-wala na, wala nang tao sa mundo– ako na lang at tsaka si Madam Leni, tsaka papayag. Pero for now ang dami diyan eh. Ang dami sigurong makikita. Opinion lang po yun ng political analyst. Nagpapasalamat po ako sa political analyst. That’s his opinion pero we’re tired (Maybe if there was nothing left, no one left in the world – just me and Madam Leni, and they would agree. But for now, there are others. There's probably a lot to see. That's just the opinion of the political analyst. I'm grateful to the political analyst. That's his opinion but we're tired),” added Tulfo.