ACT-CIS Party List Representative Erwin Tulfo, who is in the fourth spot in the latest partial and unofficial results of the Senate race, sees the big role of the youth in the elections.

As results started coming in Monday night, former Senators Bam Aquino and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan climbed to the second and fifth spot, respectively, even though they lagged behind in surveys in the past months.

Aquino even surpassed Tulfo who was always either first or second in the surveys.

“Yung X factor diyan yung Gen Z at millennials,” Tulfo said on Tuesday. “Nagpakita sila at nagparinig sila ng boses.”

“The way I look at it, siguro people are tired of the fighting. Sabi nila, ‘Sawang sawa na ako, away kayo nang away. We want somebody else.’ So siguro lahat kami, kahit sa PDP, independent, LP, siguro this is a clear message from our people na ‘We're tired of you guys fighting. Kami naman, tama na yung interest niyo sa politika, yung dalawang grupo diyan. Kami naman, kami naman the younger generations. And we can make a whole lot of difference,” he added.

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Tulfo admitted that their slate, the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas, did not focus on the youth.

“I've been listening doon sa mga campaign slogans ng AKBAYAN, nila Kiko, nila BAM—youth, youth, youth. So medyo hindi naaddress ito ng parehong panig ng PDP and then ng Alyansa,” he explained.

Tulfo said one cannot 100% trust surveys.

 ALYANSA

Tulfo said he has not yet talked to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after only six of the Alyansa candidates made it to the magic 12.

“We're expecting na ika nga sabi ni Presidente, all the way. Hindi nga nangyari yung all the way,” he remarked.

Nevertheless, Tulfo thanked Marcos for including him in the alliance.

He also said he is willing to reach out to his fellow senators.

“I really have to reach out with Senator Bam, Senator Kiko, sila how can I help? what can I do? Tulungan tayo. I'm willing to do that. Isangtabi ko muna siguro yung mga plano ko, yung mga bills kung kailangan ito ang importante,” he said.

“Then I'll talk to the other side, I'll ask Senator Bong Go, ano bang magagawa natin? Para maisakatuparan natin yung mga pangako natin.”

In hindsight, aside from focusing more on the youth, Tulfo thinks they should have put more emphasis on lowering food prices and health care.

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He promised to deliver better service once in the Senate as he will be working with his brother, Senator Raffy Tulfo.

The lawmaker said he has not yet talked to his older brother, Ben, who is currently outside the top 12.

 IMPEACHMENT

If proclaimed senator, one of the issues Tulfo will face is the pending impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.

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He said he does not yet know which direction he will take.

“Di ko pa nakikita yung mga pieces of evidence kung meron man, yung mga counter affidavit. We have to review a lot of that,” he stated.

“Madali kasing sabihin eh sabi ng prosecution, ng Congress, guilty blah blah blah kaya ganito. Kaya nga I didn’t vote kasi di ko naman nakita. And then talagang sinadya ko talaga not to vote for impeachment kasi magiging kuwan na eh, parang ika nga biased ka na na judge.”