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PLAYGIRLS CONTROVERSY

PNoy: Francis Tolentino has withdrawn from admin Senate slate


President Benigno Aquino III has announced the withdrawal of Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino from the administration senatorial slate in 2016.

Aquino issued the statement after sexy dancers performed at the birthday party of Laguna Representative Benjamin Agarao last week. The dance that many found lewd and improper happened after the oath-taking of new Liberal Party members at Agarao's residence.

The host of the program said it was Tolentino that brought the dancers to Agarao's party.

"Today, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino spoke on the recent incident connected to him. He has accepted responsibility for it. With this, he has likewise decided to withdraw as a senatorial candidate of the Administration," Aquino said on Wednesday afternoon.

Aquino had good words for Tolentino, who he said was leaving the administration senatorial lineup to spare the "Daang Matuwid" ticket from criticisms that would arise from the supposedly raunchy performance in Laguna.

“It is also my belief that he will take the opportunity to further reflect on how he can better affect positive change in the future,” Aquino said.

Aquino issued the statement after Tolentino apologized to the LP and its standard bearer, Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, who was also dragged in the incident.

It was Roxas who led the oath-taking of the new LP members before the dance group Playgirls' performance.

Aquino said Tolentino has always “demonstrated the dedication and dynamic leadership of a public servant committed to the common good” since he was appointed as officer-in-charge of Tagaytay City in 1986.

Tolentino was appointed to the post by the president’s mother, the late President Corazon Aquino.

“Francis is a firm advocate of Daang Matuwid. He knows that, at present, those who oppose meaningful reform will want to exploit the incident,” Aquino said.

“I believe that Chairman Tolentino is doing his part to ensure that public debate truly focuses on the continuation of Daang Matuwid and the undeniable benefits it has brought to our Bosses,” he added.

Taking responsibility

In a separate statement, Roxas said he appreciated Tolentino’s act of taking responsibility for the incident in Laguna.

“Isa sa mga batayang prinsipyo ng Daang Matuwid ang pag-una ng bayan bago ang sarili. By his decision to withdraw from consideration for the LPs senate slate, Francis Tolentino demonstrates he is a true believer in Daang Matuwid,” Roxas said.

He said however that the mistake should not be taken to reflect the totality of Tolentino’s character and service for the Filipino people, saying the MMDA chairman was one of the Cabinet officials who have been easy to work with.

He also credited Tolentino for the modernization of MMDA’s channels for public service.

Roxas also reminded party-mates in the administration party and supporters of the LP alike to “always appeal to our better angels” in the conduct of campaigning.

“This has also prompted us to take a hard look at how we are conducting, and how we are to conduct, our campaign. Layunin namin palagi ang pag-angat ng antas ng pampublikong diskurso, to always appeal to our better angels kumbaga. Moving forward, i ask our LP members and our supporters to adhere to this objective,” he said. —NB, GMA News

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