Erwin Tulfo

Erwin Teshiba Tulfo stands as a dominant figure in the Philippines, blending decades of broadcast journalism with high-level political service. Born in Tacloban on October 6, 1963, he rose from humble beginnings to become a senator starting in 2025. His journey took a dramatic turn after his father Ramon Tulfo Sr. passed away in 1985. Tulfo moved to the United States on a tourist visa and worked as an undocumented laborer for ten years to support his family before returning home in the 1990s. Upon his return, he joined ABS-CBN as a news reporter, quickly becoming a familiar face anchoring major programs like TV Patrol and Pulso. He also hosted popular talk shows such as Magandang Gabi... Bayan and Private I, establishing himself as a key voice in the industry. His career expanded across multiple networks, including PRTV Prime Media, where he co-hosted Arangkada Balita alongside Niña Corpuz in 2025. Earlier roles included hosting Ulat Bayan on PTV from 2020 to 2022 and leading the radio show Tutok: Erwin Tulfo on Radyo Pilipinas Uno. On TV5, he anchored Aksyon and hosted Tutok Tulfo and T3: Alliance. Beyond television, he contributed to Radio Philippines Network and Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation. This extensive experience paved the way for his entry into public office, serving as the representative for ACT-CIS Partylist and deputy majority leader of the House of Representatives from 2023 to 2025. He briefly held the position of secretary of social welfare and development in late 2022 before the Commission on Appointments blocked his confirmation. Tulfo's path has not been without controversy. In 2000, a Pasay court convicted him of four counts of libel regarding articles written for the tabloid Remate that accused a Bureau of Customs lawyer of smuggling and extortion. The following decade brought further scrutiny when the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas fined him ₱10,000 in 2011. The penalty stemmed from his coverage of the Manila hostage crisis while hosting Radyo Mo Nationwide on RMN, where he admitted to violating police instructions by interviewing a hostage taker during active negotiations.[edit]