GIS EXCLUSIVE: Tolentino ready to accept whatever SET decides on electoral protest vs. De Lima
QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Senatorial hopeful Atty. Francis Tolentino said he already accepted the fact that his electoral protest against Senator Leila de Lima is close to failing.
The former chair of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said that although he has strong evidence to win the case, the judicial process is slow. So, he decided to just wait for whatever the Senate Electoral Tribunal rules on the issue.
In October last year, Tolentino filed his candidacy for the May midterm elections.
Prior to that, he filed a motion asking the SET to temporarily suspend the proceedings of his election protest against De Lima. But it doesn’t mean that he is abandoning the case or conceding his claims to the detained senator.
“Knowing fully well the consequences maaaring i-dismiss ng SET ang kaso dahil tumtakbo na nga ho uli ako. Pero ibabalik ko doon sa hindi sya nag file ng ng counter protest kasi parang tinatannggap mo ang laman ng pleadings ko eh kasi hindi mo na kinaounter,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Tolentino may have been an accuser of a fraudulent election in 2016 but according to him, he decided to run because he still respects the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
He noted that the impeachment of former Comelec commissioner Andres Bautista is one proof that the agency has kept its integrity as an institution.
If given the chance in Senate, Tolentino wants to push for a measure that will strengthen the local government units, measures to improve the country’s disaster preparedness programs, transportation and the passage of federalism.
If there’s one thing he can assure the public in his quest for Senate position, Tolentino said, it is his clean track record as a public servant.
“I’ve been a mayor several times, MMDA chairman hindi po ako nagka-kaso sa Ombudasman kahit isa. Ibig sabihin the record will show na kahit sa piskalya I can have certifications to show,” he concluded. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Grace Casin)
