Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, a candidate for the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, emphasized his legislative achievements and his position on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) during the launch of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas rally in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. Tolentino highlighted his role in enacting significant laws such as Republic Act No. 11705, which founded the Ilocos Sur Medical Center in Candon City, and RA 11755, which elevated the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College to a state university status. Additionally, he was instrumental in establishing a College of Medicine at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University.
Tolentino praised the resilience and diligence of the people from Northern Luzon, describing them as embodiments of Filipino spirit. He also defended the Philippine government’s foreign policy on the WPS, aligning with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s approach of fostering multiple international partnerships rather than focusing solely on bilateral relations with China. He stated, “One of the reasons I joined this alliance is because I share President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s view that our approach to the WPS should be multilateral, not just between the Philippines and China.”
He commended the recent joint military exercises involving the Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Australia as a step in the right direction. Tolentino also took pride in his authorship of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, which are vital for safeguarding national sovereignty. He praised the efforts of the Navy and Coast Guard in confronting Chinese vessels in Philippine waters, thereby enforcing the Maritime Zones law.
On the topic of the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, Tolentino called for an update to the Senate’s rules to incorporate modern legal practices, including the electronic submission of evidence. He referenced Senate Resolution No. 39, which oversees impeachment trials, and emphasized the need to clarify the term “forthwith” in the 1987 Constitution to decide whether the 19th or 20th Congress should handle an impeachment trial. He assured that all proceedings would be fair, objective, impartial, and based on evidence and law.
Despite his current standing outside the top 12 in pre-election surveys, Tolentino remains determined to work harder to secure another term in the Senate, aiming to enhance governance, national defense, and legal frameworks.