Zubiri praises Tolentino as Senate looks for new blue ribbon panel chair

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri (right) and Senator Francis Tolentino (left). INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said the search is on for the next chairman of the chamber’s blue ribbon committee.

Zubiri said in a statement Wednesday that he respects Senator Francis Tolentino’s decision to resign as chairman of the committee and expects the lawmaker to help in the transition as they look for a new head of the panel.

“As much as we regret the decision of Sen. Francis Tolentino to step down as chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, we accept this with utmost respect and understanding,” Zubiri said in a statement on Wednesday.

“We are certain that during the period covering the change of leadership in the committee, he will be most willing to help the panel in its transition,” he added.

According to Zubiri, Tolentino’s replacement will have big shoes to fill as he praised the lawmaker’s leadership in the panel.

Officially called the Senate committee on accountability of public officers and investigations, the panel has the power to conduct investigations in aid of legislation, about several issues of national importance.

But Zubiri remained confident that they would find a “suitable replacement” from among the lawyers in the legislative body.

“Sen. Tolentino’s leadership of the Blue Ribbon Committee has been an efficient and productive one, and under his capable hands, the panel has effectively exercised its power and mandate to investigate in aid of legislation matters involving the accountability of public officers,” he said.

“As to the new chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee, this will be the subject of exhaustive consultations with our colleagues in the Senate. Sen. Tolentino has left big shoes to fill, but I am sure we can find a suitable replacement in our rolls of brilliant lawyers in the chamber,” he added.

Tolentino on Tuesday announced that he is vacating the blue ribbon committee chairmanship in fulfillment of a commitment that he will head the panel for only one and a half years.

“This decision is rooted in a deep-seated belief that public office demands fidelity to pledges made,” he said.

After his announcement, Tolentino advised the next blue ribbon committee chair to use the panel’s power properly by investigating what needs to be done.

READ: Tolentino tells next Senate blue ribbon chair to recognize the panel’s power 

Under Tolentino’s watch, the Senate blue ribbon committee investigated among others controversies on sugar importation and the laptop deal for public school teachers, which, according to him, involved the Office of the President and the Office of the Vice President.

“So, siguro ‘yung susunod na blue ribbon, iayos lahat nung sa pagpapatupad ng pagbabalangkas ng batas… Eh siguro, kahit siguro sino ang banggain,” he added.

(So, maybe the next blue ribbon, fix everything in the implementation of the drafting of the law… Well, maybe, maybe even whoever will be hit.)