Is Tolentino resigning as Senate blue ribbon chair?

Senator Francis Tolentino has reportedly expressed intent to resign as chairperson of the powerful Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, reliable sources in the chamber said Wednesday.

At least two more insiders said that Tolentino’s staff members have already vacated their designated space at the Blue Ribbon Oversight Office Management (BROOM) and the seal of the Blue Ribbon Committee was no longer in that room.

GMA News Online sought Tolentino’s confirmation but he has yet to respond as of posting time.

When asked if Tolentino had already submitted his resignation letter, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said, “Wala pa ... absent siya.” (Not yet ... he is absent.)

Tolentino is reportedly in the United States.

It is still not clear why Tolentino wants to resign as blue ribbon chief but another source said Tolentino accepted the chairmanship of the powerful Senate panel because no one wants to take the position.

Before accepting the position, Tolentino allegedly asked the Senate leadership that he will only chair the Blue Ribbon committee for one and a half years because he will be up for reelection in the 2025 midterm polls.

Tolentino’s resignation from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will only be formalized in a plenary session. The position of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman will be declared vacant and the senators would need to elect the new chairperson of the panel.

The changes in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairmanship is no longer expected within the year as the last plenary session for 2023 is on December 13.

The sessions will resume on January 22,2024. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News