Just days after stepping into his role as new president of the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP), Senator Robinhood Padilla asked Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino to resign from his position not only as the party’s Vice President for Luzon, but also as member.
Tolentino received the resignation call from Padilla after the latter thought it would be best for him, so he could focus on his responsibilities of leading the Senate majority.
“Because of your new mandate in the Senate, I humbly propose that it would be good if you resign from PDP,” Padilla wrote in his letter to Tolentino. He also mentioned that this move would help avoid questions about their impartiality in political matters.
Tolentino’s departure from the party, Padilla suggested, would enhance PDP’s image of independence. “This would help the party show it is unbiased and independent,” said Padilla, a former actor turned politician.
“Again, I stress I wish for nothing else, but to support your good work and mission,” Padilla told Tolentino.
Earlier this week, Padilla took his oath as the party’s president. Tolentino, who is seeking a second term, ran for senator under the PDP-Laban banner.
Tolentino previously served as the chairperson of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and as the mayor of Tagaytay City before joining the Senate race in 2019.
Manila Standard already sought comment from the camp of Tolentino. This post will be updated as soon as he or his team replies.
