MANILA - Senator-elect Erwin Tulfo has called for national unity in his victory message after the Commission on Elections sitting as the National Board of Canvassers proclaimed him as a winner in the midterm elections. 

"In these trying times of economic hardships, social divisions, and heightened political differences, there’s but one powerful force that can carry us forward and that is national unity," Tulfo said. 

"Unity is not just a concept we talk about during elections, it is the foundation of a strong and resilient nation. It is what binds the rich and the poor, the young and the old, the people from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao. It is what enables progress justice and peace. Our diversity in culture, in beliefs, in language— it’s not a weakness, it is our strength," Tulfo added in his proclamation speech.

"But unity does not mean uniformity—it means finding common ground, listening to each other with respect and working together despite our differences with one common goal to move forward together as one nation. If we fail to unite now, we may not be able to achieve what our leaders from the past to the present have been working on to uplift the life of every Filipino citizen. "

Tulfo vowed to be a bridge as he expressed openness and readiness to work with all and urged fellow politicians to set aside political differences.

"As your newly elected senator, I commit to being a bridge, not a barrier. I will work with leaders from all parties—listen to voices from all sectors and prioritize laws and programs that will unite rather than further divide this nation," he said.

"Thus, I ask our fellow senators, let us set aside our political differences for the sake of our nation and our people and let us work together to resolve our problems before us. We are not enemies. We are Filipinos no matter what political colors we believes. "

Tulfo also thanked his supporters for his victory.