Tolentino says Duterte endorsement big factor in anticipated Senate win

Former presidential adviser for political affairs Francis Tolentino on Wednesday said the endorsement of President Rodrigo Duterte played a big factor in his anticipated victory in the May 13 senatorial race.

“Yung endorsement ni Pangulo, malaking bagay yun,” Tolentino said in his interview on GMA News’ Unang Balita.

This year’s midterm elections was Tolentino’s second attempt to win a seat in the Senate following his defeat in 2016 when he placed 13th.

Tolentino said aside from Duterte’s endorsement, he also got the backing of some groups like Iglesia ni Cristo, which he said also helped his campaign. He said these endorsements boosted the number of the almost 13 million who voted for him in 2016.

Despite the favor he received from Duterte, Tolentino vowed to work with independence in the Senate and to exercise checks and balance.

“Ipapaabot ko sa Pangulo na ito po yung hanganan ng ating Saligang Batas,” Tolentino said.

Based on the partial and unofficial vote count as of posting time, Tolentino was at 9th place with over 15 million votes. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News