SENATE Majority Floor Leader Francis Tolentino, who had earlier refused to say if he was still with Partido Demokratikong Pilipino under former President Rodrigo Duterte, has formally resigned as vice president of the party.

PDP president Robinhood Padilla had asked Tolentino to give up his post in the party but the latter did not respond.

Tolentino said he is now an independent candidate running again for the Senate in 2025.

The senator from Tagaytay said his move to resign was actually because of their differences in foreign policy.

The senator has been very vocal asking Filipinos to unite on the West Phil Sea issue urging the need to raise awareness.

The senator, who is also the chairman for the Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones, clarified that as a Filipino, he will stand his ground to defend the sovereignty of the country and the Filipinos.

“Ito ay para sa Pilipino,” Tolentino said without further elaborating.

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Camille P. Balagtas