Ben Tulfo tells those questioning his citizenship: Prove I'm not a Filipino, or shut up

MANILA -- Independent senatorial candidate and broadcaster Ben Tulfo on Tuesday challenged those questioning his citizenship to prove he is not a Filipino. 

If they cannot do so, he advised them to "shut up."

"Pilipino ako… Patunayan n'yo na hindi ako Pilipino. Kung hindi n'yo kayang patunayan, puro haka-haka, this is what I'm gonna tell you. Read my lips: Shut up!" Tulfo said in a video given to the media.

He issued the statement after lawyer Virgilio Garcia filed a petition before the Commission on Elections to disqualify him and four other Tulfos from seeking public office in the May polls, claiming that they are part of a political dynasty, and do not possess the Constitutional requirement of being a natural-born Filipino citizen.

READ: Ben Tulfo refuses to talk about politics at Senate campaign kick-off

READ: Tulfo brothers, Go, Sotto top Senatorial bets in January -- Pulse

Tulfo also asserted the country has yet to enact a clear enabling law against political dynasties.

"Hangga't walang malinaw na batas, enabling law, sino ang mag-i-implement niyan? For now, I trust the wisdom of the Commission on Elections," he said.

"Pabor ako sa anti-political dynasty… Kung ako ay papalarin, loloobin ng Poong Maykapal na ako ay pumasok sa Senado, sisilipin ko na lang ‘yan. Tingnan natin kung ano'ng magagawa natin para hindi na magkaroon ng kalituhan at medyo iyong kanya-kanyang interpretasyon dahil may batas na," Tulfo added.

Earlier, senate frontrunner Erwin Tulfo also reacted to the disqualification case, saying he will let their lawyer respond. He also expressed his readiness to support an anti-political dynasty bill, should he be elected.

"Definitely [I support an anti-dynasty law]. Bakit po hindi susuportahan? That's for sure," Tulfo said.

READ: Erwin Tulfo on DQ case, dynasty tag: 'Unfortunately there's no law against it'