Senator Robinhood Padilla has called for Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino's resignation from the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP).
Padilla asked on Thursday, July 25, for Tolentino to step down as party vice president for Luzon and as a member so he could attend to his added duties as the new Senate majority leader.
This is just a few days after Padilla was formally sworn in as the party's new president.
Padilla reiterated he believes in Tolentino's qualifications and experience to be a key part of the Senate leadership.
"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. 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 (Because of your new mandate in the Senate I humbly propose that it would be good if you resigned your from PDP-Laban. This is to prevent questioning of our fairness in addressing issues, especially political ones)," he said in his letter to Tolentino.
Presently, Tolentino is vice president for Luzon of the PDP. Padilla took his oath earlier this week as president of the party.
Also, Padilla said Tolentino's resignation from the party would help enhance the party'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 (This would help the party show it is unbiased and independent)," he said.
"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 (Again, I stress I wish for nothing else but to support your good work and mission)," he added.
Tolentino has yet to react to Padilla's call.