Sen. Francis “Tol” Tolentino (Voltaire Domingo/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis Tolentino has been appointed chairperson of the Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones.
In a plenary session held Tuesday, Majority Floor Leader Joel Villanueva moved for Tolentino’s election as the committee chairperson.
On July 26, the chamber adopted Senate Resolution (SR) No. 702, calling for creating a special committee on the country’s maritime and admiralty zones. It cited the need to strengthen the country’s defense amid continuous threats in Philippine territories.
“[T]he Philippines continues to be vulnerable to unlawful activities which threaten its territory, sovereignty, including the livelihood of our people and rights over natural resources. [I]t is compelling for the Senate to prioritize the formulation of policies that will aid in strengthening our country’s defense posture and protecting the general welfare of the Filipinos,” SN 702 reads.
Tolentino, on the other hand, will be joined by Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa, Robin Padilla, Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go, Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara, and Risa Hontiveros in the newly created committee.