Raffy Tulfo says running for president not on his mind: ‘Sakit sa ulo lang yan’

Sen. Raffy Tulfo  (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — “Wala sa utak ko ang pagtakbo as president sa 2028 (Running for president in 2028 is not on my mind).”

Senator Raffy Tulfo made this clear on Thursday when asked in a television interview about his plan in 2028 following a recent survey showing him as the most preferred presidential bet.

“Naka-focus ako ngayon sa Senado and I’m enjoying being a senator. I’m enjoying that much being a senator,”  he said over ANC’s “Headstart.”

(I’m now focused on the Senate and enjoying being a senator. I’m enjoying being a senator that much.)

“At saka isa pa, e sakit sa ulo lang yan. Sa ngayon pa nga, ang dami ko ng sakit sa ulo, left and right marami nang nagagalit sakin because  of all these surveys… yung mga fake news bina-bash ako etc. So much more, pag ikaw ay nandun na, pag ikaw tatakbo,” the senator said.

“And besides, that’s just a headache. Right now, I already have so many headaches, left and right; many are getting angry with me because of all these surveys… I’m being bashed with fake news, etc. There’s so much more when you’re already running.)

Though unsure about running for the Senate, Tulfo explained that running for the highest post in the land is different.

“Naku, you have your hands full and then hindi ka na makakagawa ng batas para ma-address yung mga issues na inilapit sayo…” he said.

(Oh, you have your hands complete, and then you won’t be able to make laws to address the issues brought to you anymore…)

About his younger brother, ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo, the senator said he would leave it up to him to decide whether or not to run in the 2025 senatorial race.

“Whether gusto ko ba si Erwin makasama sa Senate o hindi, that’s his decision. I can’t stop him. Hindi ko sya hawak sa leeg. Kung sya tumakbo at nanalo sya so be it. Kung ayaw nyang tukmabo, okay din so it’s not up to me,” Sen. Tulfo said.

(Whether I want Erwin to join me in the Senate or not that’s his decision. I can’t stop him. I don’t have him by the neck. If he runs and wins, so be it. If he doesn’t want to run, that’s okay too, so it’s not up to me.)

“I cant stop my brothers from  running or doing what they want to do kasi hindi ko naman sila hawak sa leeg. I’m not my brothers’ keeper ika nga,” he stressed.

Erwin Tulfo also emerged as the people’s top choice for the Senate based on the  March survey conducted by Pulse Asia.