Ahead of the midterm elections, Rolling Stone Philippines is taking a closer look at the Top 15 senatorial candidates based on the January 2025 surveys by polling firms Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia.
For over two decades, broadcaster and senatorial aspirant Bienvenido “Ben” Tulfo has been the face and voice behind various public service shows, where his approach to justice and redress is direct and instantaneous.
But at his campaign kick-off rally on February 13, Tulfo said that he did not want to talk about politics. What does he plan to tackle if he wins a senate seat in May 2025? Read on to find out more about his platforms and opinions on the biggest national issues.
Current occupation: CEO of Bitag Media Unlimited, Inc., broadcaster, journalist
Education: Tulfo reportedly graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, but this information has yet to be verified, according to Vera Files.
Previous occupations: Tulfo hosted public service TV and radio programs like Isumbong Mo Kay Tulfo (1994), Philippines’ Most Wanted (1997), Bahala Si Tulfo (since 2001, now called BITAG Live), T3 (2011 – 2016), Kilos Pronto (2016 – 2018). He is also a columnist for Pilipino Star Ngayon.
Affiliated parties: Independent
Political Stances
Governance
After Tulfo filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) in October 2024, he and his brothers Senator Raffy Tulfo and ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo were criticized for allegedly forming a political dynasty. He said that if he and Erwin Tulfo made it to the Senate, they would be a “dynasty of helping people.”
Tulfo also said in his kick-off rally that dynasties require strongholds or bailiwicks, which he claims the family does not have. “Paano kami magkakaroon ng dinastiya e wala kaming baluarte kung kami ay nasa Senado — nasyonal ‘yan e,” he said. He also said that while he is against political dynasties, dynasties are just elected.
In his public service shows, ordinary citizens and small business owners call on Tulfo to help them remedy issues that mostly have to do with government red tape. “We realized that after helping people for the last 22 years, they keep coming back,” he said after he filed his COC.
In 2017, the Commission on Audit flagged a P120-million advertisement deal between the state-run People’s Television Network (PTV-4) and the Department of Tourism, of which Tulfo’s sister Wanda Tulfo Teo was the secretary at the time. According to state auditors, Tulfo’s program Kilos Pronto — aired on PTV-4 — received P89.9 million of the deal. In 2021, the Ombudsman cleared the Tulfos of graft charges, citing a lack of probable cause.
Nonetheless, Vera Files reports that should he win the senatorial race, he plans to set up a citizen watchdog for reporting corruption in the government.
Economy
Asked in an ambush interview about where he stands on issues regarding the national budget, Tulfo said, “Kung ‘yung mga budget insertion, that is basically issues, and that is not exactly why I am here.”
“I can talk about it but refuse now to talk about it, because I’d like to make sure my message resonates doon sa mga tao sa ibaba,” he added.
Aside from his advocacy to minimize government bureaucracy for small business owners, he has not given his opinion on issues surrounding inflation, investments, and social mobility.
Human Rights and Social Justice
In 2018, Tulfo expressed support for the controversial war on drugs, erroneously claiming that even United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres was supportive of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown on illegal drugs. He also said that the UN’s support was a slap to the face for the Commission on Human Rights, which raised concerns over the human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings associated with the war on drugs.
In a radio interview in November 2024, he said that he would support legislation to “strengthen the war on drugs,” but he does not support extrajudicial killings.
Tulfo’s stance on indigenous rights, labor rights, and gender rights are not known. He also has not expressed his views on the SOGIE Equality Bill and Absolute Divorce Bill.
However, in June 2020, he drew flak for saying that women must dress modestly to avoid being sexually assaulted. “Ang tanging magagawa ay manamit ng tama. Huwag nating pukawin ang pagnanasa [ng mga manyak],” he said in response to media personality Frankie Pangilinan — daughter of senatorial candidate Kiko Pangilinan — questioning a Lucban Municipal Police post on social media. The post reportedly said, “Huwag kayo magsusuot ng pagkaikli-ikling damit at pag naman nabastos ay magsumbong din sa amin.”
Healthcare
While Vera Files says that Tulfo wants to prioritize healthcare as a senatorial candidate, he has not publicized his views on the country’s healthcare issues. While he is a vocal advocate against illegal drug use and supportive of the war on drugs, he has not given his thoughts on drug reform and rehabilitation.
National Security and Foreign Policy
Tulfo’s opinions on territorial disputes with China and United States-Philippines relations are not known, though Vera Files reports that he believes China to be a “bully” for its encroachment on the West Philippine Sea.
In April 2019, he lashed out against singer Regine Velasquez for raising concerns about Chinese fishermen’s alleged giant clam poaching in Scarborough Shoal. “Ano bang alam nitong si Regine Velasquez other than kumanta lamang, kung ‘di man career na medyo dwindling down?” he said.
He added, “Ngayong nanay na, you know, siguro hindi na matanggap ‘yong kanyang career na medyo dwindling na.”
Environment and Disaster Preparedness
Tulfo has not shared his views on environmental issues and disaster preparedness.
Disinformation
In defending Duterte’s war on drugs, Tulfo cherry-picked quotes from a speech given by Guterres on counter-narcotic efforts in the US. When Guterres said, “The United Nations system – and I personally – stand ready to support governments in meeting the challenge of the world drug problem,” Tulfo erroneously claimed on a radio show that this meant the UN was supportive of the war on drugs in the Philippines, though there was no mention of the Philippines, Duterte, or the war on drugs in Guterres’ speech.
In July 2022, the Iloilo City Prosecutor’s Office (ICPO) indicted him for three counts of cyber libel after he allegedly “cast doubt on the character” of lawyer Kazper Vic Bermejo on the Bitag YouTube channel.
Infrastructure Development
Tulfo has not shared his views on infrastructure development and issues regarding resources like water and electricity.
Youth and Culture
He also has not shared his views or prospective policies concerning the youth, education, arts, and culture.
Sara Duterte Impeachment
Though Tulfo is an ally of Rodrigo Duterte, not much is known about where he stands on the impeachment of the former president’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.
