Sen. Francis Tolentino confirmed on Tuesday, Dec. 19, that he will vacate the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee post in fulfillment of a sacred commitment to serve for a concise term of one and a half years.
"I find it both a 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, who will also finish serving as a member of the Commission on Appointments (CA), said in a statement.
"Ang pagtupad sa kasunduan ay nakabatay sa aking malalim na paniniwala na ang pangako na maglingkod ng maikling panahon ay isang sagradong tungkulin sa paglilingkod sa bayan na dapat tuparin (Fulfilling an agreement is based on my deep belief that the promise to serve in a short time is a sacred duty to the country that must be done). It is my intention to honor an agreement,” he added.
Tolentino also noted that upholding the commitment is in sync with the “evolving contextual conditions” such as the pressing need to focus on the Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones which he also chairs.
In the upcoming end of the 1.5-year term on Dec. 31, the senator went over the accomplishments of the Blue Ribbon Committee under his leadership such as filing a bill to amend the procurement law (SB 2272), OSG’s participation in contract negotiations (SB 2273), proposal to abolish Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM), among others.
Despite ending his term, he expressed his willingness to “serve in any capacity” to help the Senate leadership and the entire administration.
The Senator further concluded with a reminder to his predecessor to uphold the integrity of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
“Ipatupad ang dapat gawin. Kilalanin ang pangingibabaw ng Blue Ribbon (Do what must be done. Recognize the supremacy of the Blue Ribbon),” he said.
He disclosed that under his tenure, they spent 67 hours and 41 minutes of public hearings. They have also invited 358 resource persons, produced three committee reports, analyzed 3,700 pages of transcript of stenographic notes, and 420 pages of committee reports which led to the indictment of 13 individuals.
Tolentino also recalled the investigation into the Sugar Importation Deal which led to the resignation of the then Executive Secretary, and the removal of several members of the Sugar Regulatory Administration.
Under his leadership, he also mentioned that it led to the filing of bills:
- SBN 1802 - Abolishing PS-DBM
- SBN 1803 - Amending Sec 23 of RA No. 9184 (Registration of Joint Venture with the SEC and BIR)
- SBN 2272 - Amending RA 9184, otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act, providing for the requirements of full transparency and full disclosure in the supply agreements or purchase in contracts enter into by the Government of the Philippines
- SBN 2273 - Act requiring the participation of the OSG in all contract negotiations with foreign governments, corporations, entities, or individuals amending Sec. 35, Chapter 12, Title III, Book IV of EO No. 292