Freema Gloria

Senator Raffy Tulfo denied reports that he has received offers to run for president in the 2028 national elections.

In a press briefing, Tulfo clarified that he has not received any proposal from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. or Vice President Sara Duterte regarding a potential presidential bid. He said suggestions about him running came only from individuals in the private sector who were merely recommending the idea.

“Yung mga nagsabi sa akin, ‘yung nasa private sector yon. 'yung kumbaga nagrerekomenda lang pero walang nagsabi na uy tumakbo ka akong bahala sa'yo. Tulungan kita. Wala. 'Yun 'yung mga nakipag-usap sa akin, parang nagre-recommend lang parang sa-sugggest. What if? Yun. Tapos sinasabi ko pasensya na ayoko,” the senator said.

(“Those who told me about it were from the private sector. They were just making recommendations, but no one said, ‘Go ahead and run, I’ll take care of you. I’ll help you.’ None. The people who spoke to me were simply suggesting it, like asking, ‘What if?’ And I would tell them, ‘Sorry, I’m not interested’)

For now, Tulfo said he intends to seek reelection to the Senate in the next polls. He added that he is satisfied with being a member of the Senate, where he believes he can accomplish more and directly help people.

“‘Pag ikaw a nandun sa taas, kung gumawa ka ng tama, mali ka. Meron pa ring kokontra sayo na mali ka. Hindi ka gumawa, sabihin tamad ka at wala kang pakinabang etc. 

(If you’re at the top, even if you do what’s right, you’re still seen as wrong. There will always be people who oppose you and say you’re wrong. If you don’t do anything, they’ll say you’re lazy and useless.)

“So wala kang pupuntahan doon eh. Eh samantalang sa Senate eh low key lang tayo at ginagawa lang natin trabaho natin at natutuwa naman ako dahil nakikita ko naman ah yung ah response nung mga natutulungan natin nagpapasalamat. So I'm happy,” he further stated.

 (So you really won’t get anywhere there. In the Senate, we can just keep a low profile and focus on doing our job, and I’m happy because I see the positive response from the people we’ve helped—they’re grateful. So I’m happy.)

The senator also said he still plans to run as an independent candidate but remains open to supporting anyone who shares his advocacy, whether aligned with the administration or the opposition.

It can be recalled that after Vice President Sara Duterte declared her intention to run for president in the next election, several names have surfaced as possible contenders against her in the 2028 national elections. 

Among the names mentioned as possible challengers are former Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Risa Hontiveros, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, and others.

“Well, ito masabi ko, best of luck ang wish ko kay VP at sa lahat ng mga naga-aspire na maging kandidato for the presidency sa 2028. All of them, “ the senator said.

(Well, all I can say is I wish the Vice President and everyone aspiring to run for president in 2028 the best of luck. All of them.)

The four verified impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte have been formally referred to the House Committee on Justice after being included in the Order of Business during the plenary session of the House of Representatives on Monday, February 23, 2026.

This came four session days after the four complaints were transmitted to the office of House Speaker Faustino “Bodie” Dy III. This means impeachment proceedings against the Vice President have officially been initiated, and deliberations by the House Justice panel are set to begin.

“So hindi malayo na mag-start na rin ang Committee on Justice. it really depends on the Committee Chair, Representative Luistro, kung mag-start na baka Monday na. And you know that just like yung impeachment complaint against PBBM, ang una-munang gagawin, ang una-munang tatalakayin would be the determination of sufficiency in form and substance (So it’s not far-fetched that the Committee on Justice will start soon. It really depends on the Committee Chair, Representative Luistro, whether to begin—maybe by Monday. And just like the impeachment complaint against PBBM, the first step will be the determination of sufficiency in form and substance),” said Representative Leila De Lima, who endorsed the second and third impeachment complaints against VP Duterte.

Meanwhile, House Deputy Speaker and La Union 1st District Representative Paolo Ortega has denied that former Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez had any involvement in filing the complaint. 

However, he expressed belief that Lakas-CMD would support the impeachment complaint he endorsed.

“Matagal na po na hindi Speaker si Speaker Martin. But I guess he has to prove kung meron pong basbas si Speaker. But as far as I know, the former Speaker is concentrating on his district. Of course, we are expecting that Lakas would also support the 4th impeachment complaint (It has been a long time since Speaker Martin has not been Speaker anymore. But I guess he has to prove if there is any endorsement from the Speaker. As far as I know, the former Speaker is concentrating on his district. Of course, we are expecting that Lakas would also support the fourth impeachment complaint)”

Congressman Romualdez is the president of Lakas-CMD, the largest political party in the House of Representatives.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. aims to strengthen the government’s priority programs by expanding funding for local government units (LGUs), which he said are more aware of the needs and concerns of their constituents.

On Monday, February 23, at Malacañang, the President launched the initiative “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang,” during which the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) was expanded.

“Una, tinaasan natin ng mahigit 34 na bilyong piso ang ating LGSF para sa 2026. Kaya’t sa kabuuan nito, umabot na ang pondong ‘yan sa halos 58 bilyong piso, pinakamataas sa buong kasaysayan ng LGSF (First, we increased our LGSF by more than ₱34 billion for 2026. In total, the fund has now reached nearly ₱58 billion — the highest in the history of the LGSF),” the President said in his speech before officials and members of the League of Provinces, League of Cities, League of Municipalities of the Philippines, and other government officials.

The President also stated that the release of the LGSF will be accelerated and will go directly to each local government.

“Ginawa namin ito dahil sa pagkilala na ang pangangailangan ng tao, gaano man kaliit o gaano kalaki ay hindi pa naghihintay pa (We did this in recognition that people’s needs, no matter how small or how big, cannot wait).”

“Upang matiyak na ang bawat sentimo ng pondo ay malinaw ang direksyon, nagtakda tayo ng mga prayoridad na programa na magpapalakas ng ating mga sektor (To ensure that every centavo of public funds has a clear direction, we have identified priority programs that will strengthen our sectors)” the President added, citing additional rice assistance, improved health facilities, enhanced disaster preparedness, and upgrades to critical infrastructure such as electricity and water supply systems.

Funds are also allocated for the development of farm-to-market roads and local road networks to facilitate trade, help reduce the prices of goods, and increase farmers’ income.

The program will also finance improvements in water supply systems and electrification projects. 

“Mababawasan nito ang pangamba ng ating mga kababayan, kung saan kukuha ng malinis na tubig o kaya naman, kung ligtas ba ang kanilang komunidad pagka gabi (This will lessen our people’s worries about where to get clean water or whether their communities are safe at night),” the President said.

According to the President, the government has already released an estimated ₱1.19 trillion in National Tax Allotment for LGUs for 2026, which is 15 percent higher than in 2025. This will further enhance the capacity of local governments to fund their programs.

In conclusion, President Marcos encouraged everyone to take part so that the projects in their communities can be realized, and to become partners of the government in ensuring that public funds truly benefit every citizen.