By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Francis Tolentino anticipates a swifter judicial process following the Senate’s approval on the third and final reading of a bill seeking to establish additional courts in the country.
“This initiative aims to streamline case handling and accelerate the dispensation of justice — a vital obligation of the government and the bedrock of a truly democratic society,” remarked Tolentino, serving as the Chairperson of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights, during his sponsorship speech.
He emphasized, “These legislative efforts are designed to ensure that the newly established courts are not just symbolic gestures; they will be promptly and fully operational, with adequate funding and staffing provisions for judges, prosecutors, and public attorneys assigned to each court.”
Tolentino advocated for the establishment of 40 Regional Trial Courts (RTCs), three Metropolitan Trial Courts (MeTCs), and 11 Municipal Trial Courts (MTCs).
Citing Article III, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution, which guarantees “every person the right to a speedy trial,” Tolentino underscored the importance of efficient legal proceedings.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Francis Tolentino emphasized on Tuesday (April 30, 2024) the necessity for academic institutions to devise short-term strategies enabling learners to persist in their studies despite the challenges posed by the El Niño phenomenon.
Speaking during the hearing of the Committee on Basic Education regarding the impacts of extreme heat on class activities and the adoption of alternative delivery modes (ADMs), Tolentino stressed the importance of implementing measures that facilitate uninterrupted learning for students.
He added that parents should be empowered to make decisions in the best interest of their children.
“It’s not up to the principals, no offense, to determine whether a Grade 3 or Grade 4 student should attend classes in Sultan Kudarat or Laoag,” he remarked. “The decision lies with the parents, while schools and academic institutions should adapt their approaches accordingly, ensuring that learners are not further disadvantaged.”
Additionally, Tolentino highlighted the long-term solution of transitioning to the traditional school calendar, running from June to March next year.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
Senator Francis Tolentino is urging President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to promptly issue an executive order to implement adjustments in the work schedules of government employees.
This call comes in response to the Metro Manila Council’s (MMC) appeal to Malacañang to replicate their directive regarding the adjustment of work schedules for employees in local government units and agencies in Metro Manila.
The proposed adjustment shifts the schedule from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tolentino emphasizes the importance of extending this adjustment to all government agencies to ensure consistency across the board.
According to the senator, the MMC’s directive is a step in the right direction for making Metro Manila more sustainable and commuter-friendly.
He argues that aligning the schedules of the government and private sectors will alleviate heavy traffic during peak hours and enhance the commuting experience.
(el Amigo/MNM)
During the Weekly Forum at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay on Wednesday (20 Dec 2023), Senator Francis Tolentino announced a pioneering legislative proposal aimed at eliminating the requirement of implementing rules and regulations (IRRs) 15 days before the publication of approved laws.
Tolentino emphasized that the traditional practice of having IRRs in place before the publication of a law is unnecessary. According to the senator, at present, laws will become executory upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation within 15 days.
The proposed bill marks a historic initiative, with Tolentino expressing his hope that it will serve as a blueprint for all future laws enacted by Congress. This move, if successful, could streamline the legislative process and set a precedent for the future.
(Benjamin Cuaresma/IAmigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri has announced that the Senate is in the process of identifying a new chairperson for the powerful Blue Ribbon Committee.
Zubiri expressed his respect for Senator Francis Tolentino’s decision to resign from his position as the head of the Blue Ribbon Committee.
He commended Tolentino’s efficient and productive leadership, acknowledging the committee’s effective exercise of its power to investigate matters related to the accountability of public officers.
“Sen. Tolentino’s tenure as the head of the Blue Ribbon Committee has been marked by efficiency and productivity. Under his capable leadership, the committee has successfully fulfilled its mandate to investigate issues relevant to the accountability of public officials,” said Zubiri.
Regarding the selection of the new chair for the Blue Ribbon Committee, Zubiri emphasized that this process would involve thorough consultations with Senate colleagues. Acknowledging the significant role Tolentino played, Zubiri expressed confidence in finding a suitable replacement among the talented lawyers within the Senate.
“Sen. Tolentino has left big shoes to fill, but I am sure we can find a suitable replacement in our ranks of brilliant lawyers in the chamber,” he added.
Senator Tolentino had previously announced his resignation, stating, “This decision is rooted in a deep-seated belief that public office demands fidelity to pledges made.”
(IAmigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Francis Tolentino has officially announced his resignation as the chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
“In fulfillment of a sacred commitment to serve as Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman and Member of the Commission on Appointments for a concise term of one and a half years, I find it both a duty and an honor to uphold the essence of a prior agreement,” Tolentino said Tuesday (19 Dec 2023).
“This decision is rooted in a deep-seated belief that public office demands fidelity to pledges made,” he added.
The lawmaker specified that his resignation will be formally confirmed during the upcoming plenary session.
The Blue Ribbon Committee is tasked with investigating alleged wrongdoings within the government, its officials, and its attached agencies, including government-owned and controlled corporations.
Ni Liza Soriano
KUNG talagang may kapabayaan, maaaring sampahan ng kaso ang Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Ito’y ayon kay Senator Francis Tolentino makaraang hayaan nito ang Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) na mag-facilitate o manguna sa field trials para sa bisa ng African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccine.
Lumalabas sa ginanap na pagdinig ng Senado na ang FDA lang ang nag-apruba ng protocol para sa clinical trial at ang BAI na ang nagmonitor sa ginawang testing ng bakuna.
Iginiit ni Tolentino na dapat ang FDA ang mangunguna sa clinical trial ng ASF vaccine lalo pa at ang ahensiya rin ang siyang dapat na nagbibigay ng permit sa mga bakuna at gamot na pumapasok sa bansa.
Dahil dito, nagbabala ang senador na maaaring kasuhan ang FDA ng kapabayaan sa hindi pagtupad sa kanilang tungkulin.
Ipinaalala pa ni Tolentino na kahit may memorandum of agreement (MOA) sa ganitong mga testing ng bakuna ay ang FDA pa rin ang may tungkulin na magsagawa at magmonitor nito.
Hindi, aniya, kailanman maaaring i-delegate o ipasa ng FDA ang kanilang functions o tungkulin kahit pa sa BAI at tanging Kongreso lang ang may karapatang mag-delegate ng tungkulin.
(ai/mnm)
By Dang Samson Garcia
SENATOR Francis Tolentino reiterated the need to impose liabilities of schools amid the new hazing-related death of criminology student Ahldryn Lery Chua Bravante in Tau Gamma Fraternity initiation rites.
“I hope the same remedial measures can address the gap on liabilities of schools as secondary parents,” Tolentino said in reference to his filed Senate Bill nos. 2270 and 2271.
The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights chairman likewise underscored the proper implementation of Anti Hazing-Law requiring barangay to monitor fraternities’ initiation rites, especially by barangay officials.
“Sa law kasi, dapat ma-inform ang barangay kung mayroong hazing na gagawin. I’m sure ‘di nangyari ito doon sa Quezon City o kung saan. Dapat ipaalam sa mga tumatakbong barangay officials iyon. Bahagi ng kanilang mandato na i-monitor ang mga nangyayari sa kanilang nasasakupan,” the lawmaker said.
Tolentino also lamented the death of Bravante, which came just months after the victim’s older brother died of accident.
“Nakakalungkot ito kasi pangalawa na siya sa pamilya nila na namatay. Tuwing umuuwi ang nanay niya ay may namamatay,” Tolentino further stresssed.
By Dang Samson Garcia
IN recognition of their important role in the everyday lives of their citizens, Senator Francis Tolentino on Saturday tipped his hat off to local government units in their initiatives to improve education and health situations and undertake crisis management in their localities.
“If the world is flat, according to book author Thomas L. Friedman, for me, the world is local, everything is local,” Tolentino said.
In providing education to their constituents, the lawmaker was one of the local chief executives who initiated the establishment of the locally-funded colleges and universities when he founded the Tagaytay City College in 2002 when he was still city mayor.
Tolentino said the number of local colleges and universities when he founded TCT was about 100, and has since grown to 134 at present.
Dr. Raymundo P. Arcega, president of the Association of Local Colleges and Universities, also shared the importance of locally-funded tertiary institutions that respond to the needs of the localities.
Arcega said local colleges and universities are now performing at par with state colleges and universities that the national government funds by topping licensure examinations.
The senator also recognized the initiative of Mayor Alfredo Coro of Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte, to make their community-based health program more responsive and efficient during health crises and calamities.
The program has been the recipient of the 2023 Galing Pook Award, Seal of Health Governance.
Coro shared that owing to established community-based health program, they were able to mitigate the effects of Category 4 Typhoon Odette when it pummeled their town in December 2021 and efficiently handled the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Liza Soriano
IGINIIT ni Senador Francis Tolentino nitong Sabado ang posibilidad na magsagawa ng Senate special investigation sa “ramming incident” sa karagatan ng Agno, Pangasinan, na nagresulta sa pagkamatay ng tatlong mangingisdang Pilipino.
Sinabi ni Tolentino, chairperson ng Senate committee on justice and human rights, na ang isang special investigation ay makatutulong din sa pagtatatag ng ‘archipelagic sea lane’ ng bansa upang maiwasan ang mga katulad na insidente.
“Ang pakay dito ay ang pagbubuo ng archipelagic sea lanes. Ang ibig sabihin po nito ay iyong talagang daanan–dito dadaan yong mga barkong domestic, foreign at international vessels na malalaki, nang sa ganun alam ng ating mangingisda kung saan dadaan at makakaiwas sa isa’t isa,” ani Tolentino.
Idinagdag ng mambabatas na tinitimbang niya ang ideya kung sisimulan ang imbestigasyon habang naghihintay pa rin ng mga ulat mula sa mga kinauukulang awtoridad na kinakailangan ng mga international rules.
“So, habang hindi po nakakalap yon, ito po yong wine-weigh in ko kung sisimulan na ang imbestigasyon,” ayon sa mambabatas.
Tatlong mangingisdang Pilipino ang namatay matapos mabangga ng “unidentified commercial vessel” ang isang Filipino fishing boat na dumadaan sa karagatan ng Bajo de Masinloc o Panatag Shoal sa West Philippine Sea.
Hindi pinangalanan ng Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ang mga nasawi ngunit sinabing sila ay mga mangingisda na may edad 47, 38, at 62 mula sa Calapandayan, Subic, Zambales.
(ai/mnm)