Senator Rafael “Raffy” Tulfo declared that he has no plans to run for president in the 2028 elections, according to a Tuesday report.

This was in response to survey results placing him neck to neck with Vice President Sara Duterte in ratings if they were to ever come head to head at the 2028 Presidential Elections, reported RH 28 Raymund Dadpaas.

“Ako’y nagpapasalamat sa tiwala, pero I said it before, and I’ll say it again: wala po akong balak na tumakbo as president sa 2028,” Tulfo said.

Tulfo said that he does not want to follow in the footsteps of senators who, after serving for one term, aspired for the highest seat of power in the country and failed.

“I’m very happy as senator. So ba’t pa ako aakyat sa higher office. And then, I don’t want to commit the same mistakes that others committed na mga elected officials na first term palang sila, and then after first term, tumatakbo agad sila sa higher office or position, and they failed,” he said.

The senator said he was content with his work in the Senate and will run for reelection as senator in 2028.

“However, I believe I’m doing very well as senator and I can do a lot more as senator. Therefore, asahan niyo, reelectionist ako sa 2028,” said Tulfo.

Nonetheless, he expressed gratitude for the trust the public has placed on him. There are many other names they could have chosen, he explained, including former Vice President Leonor “Leni” Robredo, who currently serves as Naga City’s mayor, Senator Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, Senator Risa Hontiveros, former Senator Antonio Trillanes, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla, among others.

Tulfo said he may endorse a presidential candidate if they share the same advocacies.