Tolentino confirms leaving Senate blue ribbon committee, CA

Senator Francis Tolentino on Tuesday confirmed that he will leave his position as chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee.

He also announced that he will relinquish 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.

According to Tolentino, the senators have yet to decide who will be his successor in both positions.

He expressed confidence that there are other lawyer-senators who are capable of leading the Senate blue ribbon committee.

He added that he can still serve as vice chairman or even a member of the Blue Ribbon panel.

Before he officially resigns as the panel chairman, Tolentino said he will file an amendment to the Blue Ribbon committee’s rules requiring resource persons to submit a memorandum which will uphold their right to respond to allegations against them.

The lawmaker made the announcement barely a week after rumors have spread that he already informed the Senate leadership of his decision to let go of the powerful committee.

Tolentino chaired the Blue Ribbon committee for one year and five months.

Under his leadership, the panel has investigated two sugar “fiascos,” the controversial laptop deal of the Department of Education, and the Department of Health's alleged non-disclosure of vaccine procurement details.

Currently pending before the Blue Ribbon committee is the investigation on National Irrigation Administration’s projects, Tolentino said.—AOL, GMA Integrated News