Tolentino to leave Senate blue ribbon committee, CA

SENATOR Francis Tolentino confirmed that he will leave his position as chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee as well as his membership in the Commission on Appointments.

“In fulfilment of a sacred commitment to serve as Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman and Member of the Commission on Appointments for a concise term of one and half years, I find it both duty and an honor to uphold the essence of a prior agreement. This decision is rooted in a deep-seated belief that public office demands fidelity to pledges made,” Tolentino said in a press conference.

He said his resignation will be confirmed in a plenary session.

The Senate will resume sessions on January 22,2024.

Tolentino explained that prior to his election as chairman of the Blue Ribbon panel and as member of the CA, he made an agreement with the Senate leadership that he will only serve for one and a half years.

Apart from the agreement, Tolentino said his decision to leave the posts is also rooted on his re-election bid in 2025 and his chairmanship of the Senate special committee on maritime and admiralty zones.

He said he will continue to lead the Blue Ribbon committee until the chamber finds his replacement to ensure a seamless transition.

Tolentino cited the accomplishments of the Blue Ribbon Committee under his stewardship.

Under his chairmanship, Tolentino said the Blue Ribbon Committee produced three committee reports, including the allegedly anomalous laptop deal in the Department of Education, which led to the indictment of 13 individuals.

The Blue Ribbon also probed the Sugar Implementation Deal which led to the resignation of then Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez and the removal of several members of the Sugar Regulatory Administration, according to the senator.