A very public and bitter family dispute between broadcaster-politicians Mon Tulfo and his younger brother, Senator Ben Tulfo, has captured national attention, with observers drawing parallels to the known tensions between President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and his sister, Senator Imee Marcos.
The Spark That Ignited the Feud
The conflict entered the public eye after Ben Tulfo, 70, launched a verbal attack against his 79-year-old elder brother, Mon. Ben labeled Mon as "epal" (attention-seeker), "sawsawero" (meddler), and "kunsintidor" (enabler). This outburst was a direct response to Mon's previous remark which seemed to downplay certain infidelities, stating "okay lang mambabae, huwag lang manglalake."
The core of their disagreement is linked to the alleged involvement of their other brother, Senator Raffy Tulfo, with a starlet from the platform Vivamax. Reports suggested the actress received a substantial tip of P300,000. In light of this, Ben's advice to Mon was blunt: to stay quiet, retire from public life, and "plant camote in the mountains."
Mon Tulfo's Fierce Retaliation
Mon Tulfo did not remain silent. On Friday, December 12, 2025, he fired back through a scathing social media post. His response escalated the conflict dramatically, as he described his younger brother in harsh psychological terms.
Mon labeled Ben a "sociopath," "crazy," and claimed he was having a "nervous breakdown." He revealed a deeply personal opposition to Ben's political ambitions, writing: "In fact, I sincerely prayed that Ben would not win in the last election. Thankfully, that prayer was answered. Aside from there already being three Tulfos in the Senate, we would have ended up with a mentally unstable senator."
He further elaborated that the family often ignores Ben's rants. "He lives in his own world, which is why we do not engage with Ben's diatribes against me, Raffy and Erwin. He has a mental impairment," Mon stated. He added that they have repeatedly advised Ben to seek psychiatric help, but such suggestions only provoke his anger.
Broader Implications and Public Reaction
This familial rift has quickly moved beyond private gossip to become a topic of public and political discourse. The immediate comparison to the Marcos siblings highlights how family dynamics within powerful political clans can influence and reflect the nation's political landscape.
The public airing of such serious accusations—involving claims of mental instability and fervent opposition to an election—between two influential figures and their senator brother raises questions about family unity and professional conduct in the Philippine political arena. It underscores the intense personal and political rivalries that can exist even within the closest of families when power and public image are at stake.
