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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Tolentino's resignation as Blue Ribbon chair should be done in plenary--Zubiri

Tolentino's resignation as Blue Ribbon chair should be done in plenary--Zubiri

Published Dec 16, 2023 07:27 am

At A Glance

  • Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri has hinted at the intention of Senator Francis Tolentino to resign as Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chairman, but said that the latter must do this in the plenary.

Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri has hinted at the intention of Senator Francis Tolentino to resign as Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chairman, but said that the latter must do this in the plenary.

"Sabi niya kasi sa akin sobrang busy niya raw eh. Kailangan daw niya mangampanya. Di na raw niya mahawakan yung mga committees niya. Sabi ko sa kanya, huwag naman kasi parang abandonment yan of duty (He told me that he's really busy. He needs to campaign. He cannot handle his committees. I told him, 'don't do that' because it's like abandoning your duty)," Zubiri said in a radio interview on DWIZ.

"Hinalal ka ng mga senador (You were elected by senators). You can only resign in the presence of other senators meaning in plenary," he added.

Zubiri said that as far as he's concerned, Tolentino is still in position as Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman.

He also mentioned that they are discussing possible replacements in case Tolentino truly wants to vacate the position.

The possible replacements are Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Chiz Escudero, and Sonny Angara.

Alan Peter Cayetano used to chair the Blue Ribbon panel during the term of then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, or during the 14th Congress.

During this term, he headed the Senate’s investigation into the NBN-ZTE deal. He also continued the then-ongoing fertilizer fund scam.

Earlier, sources privy to the operations of the panel alleged that Tolentino had already “packed his things” up at the Senate Blue Ribbon offices before leaving abroad.

Zubiri confirmed that one of the reasons Tolentino gave him for his resignation is that past senators who held the position were not able to get re-elected. These include Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon and TG Guingona.

But he mentioned that former senator, the late Joker Arroyo got reelected while handling the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

The panel usually hears high-profile corruption issues in aid of legislation.

Related Tags

Senate blue ribbon committee Senate President Juan Miguel F.  Zubiri Senator Francis N. Tolentino
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