Francis Tolentino to Sen. De Lima: for Delicadeza's sake - RESIGN!

Does Delicadeza still exist in the Philippines?

To be more precise is the word Delicadeza still rings a bell to the country’s politicians? Unlike in Japan when there are public or government officials are implicated in graft and corruption or any scandal that will bring to question his integrity they will resign from there post or worst they can do “ harikiri” or “seppuku” a ritual suicide.

But here in the Philippines, there is no such animal. Here, politicians that are charged and eventually found guilty of some criminal act can still run for the highest position in the land- take the case of Former President Joseph Estrada. Politicians here are so thick-faced that they will cling to the position up until the public forgets the transgression they have done. *

Francis Tolentino and Senator Leila De Lima (photo credit to ABSCBN)

 

Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Sec. Francis Tolentino who lost to Senator Leila De Lima for the Senate’s last and remaining spot during the 2016 elections gave a shout out to the latter though it was not directly fired at the lady senator.

“Nasa kanya na ‘yon. Isipin din siguro niya ang kabutihan ng bayan kung ano yung, di ba, kung ano maisusulong sa legislation,” Tolentino said during thepress conference in  Kapihan sa Manila Bay when asked if he would ask De Lima to resign.

 (It depends upon her. Maybe she should just think of what is best for the country, if what could advance legislation.)

Tolentino said he could not force the lady senator to resign from her post in the senate, but reiterates that such an act would be a more magnanimous move to make.

“Di ko siya pwedeng pwersahin, may sarili naman siyang pag-iisip,” he added.

(I cannot force her, she has a mind of her own.)

The Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs secretary cited the case of Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, who resigned from his position as a senator in 2011 amid allegations of fraud in the 2010 elections. Zubiri quit even before the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) ruled on now Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III’s electoral protest filed against him.  *

“Mas magnanimous ‘yon, mas may delicadeza,” Tolentino said.

Senator Leila De Lima won the last spot in the 2016 senatorial election by a margin of 1 million against the 13^th placer Francis Tolentino, the latter has a pending case before the Senate Electoral tribunal disputing Leila De Lima’s win.

Senator De Lima is currently detained at the Philippine National Police Headquarters over alleged drug charges connected in the shabu laboratory operations in the national penitentiary.


Report from PDI