Zubiri: No term-sharing deal on blue ribbon chairman post

SENATE President Juan Miguel Zubiri yesterday clarified there was no term-sharing agreement for the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations, or the blue ribbon committee.

Zubiri said it was the “wish” of Sen. Francis Tolentino to head the powerful committee for only one and one-half years.

Tolentino announced on Tuesday that he was stepping down as chairperson of the blue ribbon committee effective December 31 in compliance with a supposed “agreement” among senators who belong to the majority group.

Tolentino likewise gave his seat at the Commission on Appointments (CA).

“No term sharing. He just wanted to serve for one and one-half years. That’s what he wished for,” Zubiri said in a Viber message to the media when asked to comment on Tolentino’s resignation.

Tolentino has said that he was stepping down as chairman of the committee and as member of the CA in compliance to a “sacred commitment” to serve the panel only for a certain period of time.

Tolentino said being SBRC chairman and a member of the CA for a limited time are both his’ and the Senate leadership’s decision.

Zubiri said he tried to convince Tolentino to “stay on” but the latter, he said, has apparently made up his mind.

Zubiri said Tolentino’s replacement will be “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 said.

Zubiri said that while “we regret” that Tolentino stepped down as chairman of the blue ribbon panel, “we accept this with utmost respect and understanding.”

“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.