Robin Padilla asks Tolentino to leave PDP

Sen. Robin Padilla has asked Sen. Francis Tolentino to resign from the PDP supposedly to prevent any conflict of interest as regards political issues.

Padilla made the statement after Tolentino assumed the position of Senate Majority Floor Leader.

“Dahilan sa bagong mandato na inyong hinaharap sa Senado, buong pagpapakumbaba kong iminumungkahi na marahil po ay mas makabubuti ang iyong pagbibitiw bilang opisyal at kasapi ng PDP-Laban," Padilla said.

"Sa ganang akin po lamang, ang mungkahing ito po ay upang maiwasan din natin ang pagkuwestiyon, kung magkakaroon man, sa ating pagiging patas sa pagtugon sa mga isyu, lalo sa mga usaping pampulitikal," he added.

(Because of your new mandate in the Senate I humbly propose that you resign from the PDP-Laban. This is to avoid questions on our fairness in addressing issues, especially political ones.)

Padilla is the new president of the PDP. Tolentino is the party's vice president for Luzon

Sought for comment, Tolentino said it was not the time to discuss political issues, citing the damage caused by the Habagat enhanced by tropical cyclone Carina.

"Sa panahong ito wag muna tayong magusap patungkol sa pulitika; mas mainam magtulungan tayo para mapadali ang rehabilitasyon ng mga kababayan nating biktima ng Bagyong Carina," Tolentino said.

(Let us not talk about politics at this time. It will be better to help facilitate the rehabilitation of those affected by Typhoon Carina.)

Padilla said Tolentino's resignation would help enhance PDP’s independence.

"Makakatulong din ang hakbang na ito upang ating ipamalas ang ating paninindigan na tayo ay walang kinikilingan, at nananatiling independente sa ating pagtupad sa ating sinumpaang tungkulin bilang mga mambabatas," Padilla said.

(This would help the party show it is unbiased and independent.)

"Muli't muli po, nais kong bigyang diin na wala po akong hangad kundi ang patuloy pang suportahan ang iyong mga mabubuting gawain at misyon para sa ating Inang Bayan," he added.

(Again, I stress I wish for nothing else but to support your good work and mission.)

Padilla did not mention a specific political issue, but it can be recalled that Senate President Francis Escudero said charter change would not be among its priorities. 

PDP’s main advocacy is to change the form of government to a federal type. 

Despite the pronouncement of Senate President Francis Escudero on sidelining charter change, Padilla, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, said he will continue the hearings on measures amending the 1987 Constitution. 

In June, Senator Ronald dela Rosa, one of the four PDP members in the Senate, hinted at Tolentino leaving PDP ahead of the 2025 national and local elections.