Padilla urges Tolentino to resign from PDP due to new Senate role

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Robin Padilla, the new president of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), sought Sen. Francis Tolentino’s resignation from the party on Thursday.

In a statement, Padilla said Tolentino may have to resign from PDP as party vice president for Luzon and party member so he can attend to his added duties as the new Senate Majority Leader.

READ: Robin Padilla is new president of PDP

“Dahilan sa bagong mandato na inyong hinaharap sa Senado, buong pagpapakumbaba kong iminumungkahi na marahil po ay mas makabubuti ang iyong pagbibitiw bilang opisyal at kasapi ng PDP-Laban,” said Padilla.

(Due to the new mandate you will face in the Senate, I humbly suggest that perhaps it would be better for you to resign as an officer and member of PDP-Laban.)

“Sa ganang akin po lamang, ang mungkahing ito po ay upang maiwasan din natin ang pagkuwestiyon, kung magkakaroon man, sa ating pagiging patas sa pagtugon sa mga isyu, lalo sa mga usaping pampulitika,” he added.

(As far as I’m concerned, this suggestion is to avoid questioning, if any, our fairness in responding to issues, especially political matters.)

Padilla said Tolentino’s resignation from the party would also help enhance the party’s independence.

“Muli po, nais kong bigyang diin na wala po akong hangad kundi ang patuloy pang suportahan ang iyong mga mabubuting gawain at misyon para sa ating Inang Bayan,” he said.

(Once again, I want to emphasize that I have no desire but to continue to support your good works and missions for our country.)

But in a separate statement, Tolentino shunned Padilla’s suggestion, maintaining that at a time such as this, it would be better not to talk about politics and instead focus on helping Filipinos affected by weather disturbances.

“’Wag muna tayong mag-usap patungkol sa pulitika. Mas mainam magtulungan tayo para mapadali ang rehabilitasyon ng mga kababayan nating biktima ng Bagyong Carina, lalung-lalo na ‘yung mga nasa mga evacuation centers pa at may mga karamdaman. Marami pang nawalan ng tirahan at nasira ang kabuhayan —  sila muna ang pagusapan at tulungan natin,” said Tolentino.

(Let’s not talk about politics. It is better that we work together to facilitate the rehabilitation of our countrymen who are victims of Typhoon Carina, especially those who are still in evacuation centers and have illnesses.  Many more were displaced and had their livelihoods destroyed – let’s talk about and help them first.)