Senators discuss possible replacement of Tolentino in Blue Ribbon

MANILA, Philippines — Senate colleagues of Sen. Francis Tolentino are discussing his possible replacement as Blue Ribbon committee chairman, saying he has become busy with preparations for his re-election bid in 2025.

In an interview over dwIZ, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Tolentino has indicated his plan to step down from the chairmanship of the committee tasked with investigating irregularities in government.

Zubiri said the names of Sens. Sonny Angara, Chiz Escudero, Pia Cayetano and her younger brother Alan Peter Cayetano – all lawyers – have emerged as possible replacement for Tolentino as Blue Ribbon committee chair.

He said Tolentino himself had told him of his getting too preoccupied with his political plans, so much so that he could not manage properly his committees anymore.

“He told me that he is very busy, he has to campaign, he can’t handle his committees anymore. I told him, don’t do it because that’s like abandonment of duty. You were elected senator, he can only resign in the presence of other senators, in plenary,” Zubiri added.

The Senate president said Tolentino’s resignation can only be valid if it’s done before the plenary “because it is us who elect” committee chairs.

Congress is on Christmas break until Jan. 22, 2024.

“He has to seek the permission of his colleagues by declaring it in the plenary session. As far as I am concerned, he is not yet resigned,” Zubiri said.

“The position of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee chairman is very important, the position is sacred because you are the one litigating, you are the one investigating the mistakes of government agencies,” the Senate president said.

He added, “There are many anomalies that should be investigated. The shortcomings of the Land Transportation Office for instance. The trouble people have to endure in getting their drivers’ licenses that can be done for example. Government agencies that cause so much suffering to the people should be the focus of Blue Ribbon investigations,” he said in Filipino.