Former MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino bats for legislative reforms as senatorial run initially yields favorable public response

Opting to run as an independent for next year’s senatorial elections, former Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino still likes his chances and has identified the places he considers as his bailiwicks as well as areas where he is expected to perform well.

“I have been mayor of Tagaytay City for many years so I expect to do well in that area. My father hails from Tanauan, Batangas but I was actually born in Guinobatan, Albay as stated in my birth certificate so I consider myself a Bicolano as well,” Tolentino told Orange Magazine in a recent interview.

Tolentino revealed that when he went to the Commission on Elections to file his Certificate of Candidacy last October, he was accompanied by Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla, Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez and Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan, among other local officials.

“I believe I’ll also do well in those areas as well as in many other places in Metro Manila. Having been Chairman of the MMDA, I also have the support of the Metro Manila mayors including former president and Manila Mayor Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada,” he added.

As for the presidential candidates, he has been openly endorsed by former Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who is currently number one in the current surveys.

“Hindi naman siguro ako maze-zero,” the man still fondly referred to as Chairman quipped.

As surveys go, Tolentino said that he is within striking distance of the so-called Magic 12 or the number of senators that voters need to elect. In the latest Pulse Asia survey, he is identified among probable winners.

Tolentino said that while he is conscious of his numbers, he is more focused on enlightening the public with his platform as well as echoing his achievements as a local public servant that he hopes to continue as a legislator in the national stage.

As Tagaytay Mayor and MMDA Chairman

While mayor of Tagaytay City for three terms, Tolentino initiated the Character First programs which encourages governments, government leaders, civic organizations and religious organizations to band together to establish a “city” or “community” of character with a character traits of a Filipino every month.

He also created the Tagaytay Office of Public Safety, which became the basis of policies he would later put into force as chair of the MMDA.

Tolentino’s stint as MMDA Chairman was marked with many firsts. In 2013, he launched the first Metro Manila Integrated Bus Terminal known as the Southwest Integrated Provincial Transport Terminal (SWIPTT).

“That same year, I signed Metro Manila Outdoor Media Magna Carta along with various advertising groups, setting the terms for the unprecedented regulating of outdoor advertisements in Metro Manila. This includes a 216 square meter limitation on all outdoor signs and structures, with 30 percent of the space of ground level ads allotted for landscape works or vertical gardens,” he pointed out.

And yes, he also did initiated projects to help alleviate the traffic situation in Metro Manila while offering transportation alternatives such as the Pasig River Ferry System which the MMDA re-launched in 2014 in coordination with the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission and Department of Transportation and Communications.

Legislative agenda

A lawyer by profession, Tolentino also holds a degree in Master of Laws specializing in Public International Law (with Merit, 2^nd Honours) from the University of London, among other higher education achievements.

He is also related to the late Senator Arturo “Ka Turing” Tolentino, regarded as one of the country’s greatest legal minds and is therefore, more than qualified to run in the legislative arena.

“If elected, I would seek for greater empowerment of local government units and the establishment of regional clusters for increased economic benefits at the grassroots,” he declared.

To this end, he is proposing amendments to the Local Government Code that include increased allocation of Internal Revenue Allotment based on performance and its automatic release to local government units; the creation of a Police Youth Reserve Corps to help in peace and order and disaster response; the establishment of community colleges and community airports; and the creation of a Philippine Urban Development Commission.

“In the face of climate change, I also stand for disaster preparedness and speedy rehabilitation for greater resiliency. I also seek the protection of our natural environment and the integrity if the ecology that will allow future generations of Filipinos to live sustainably,” he added.

Likewise, Tolentino is also for “healthy citizenry” with his proposal to make every school children as automatic beneficiaries of PhilHealth.

Women empowerment is also high on his legislative agenda as he seeks their greater participation in the labor force and proposes “women’s statutory right to wellness and health facilities for their children.”

While local governments have been the cornerstone of his career in public service, entertainment has also been high on Tolentino’s priorities.

In conjunction with his functions as MMDA Chairman, Tolentino was also chairman of the MMDA-supervised Metro Manila Film Festival which under his watch has posted record box office receipts.

Tolentino worked closely with filmmakers and film producers and initiated a number of changes in the MMFF. He eliminated the criteria of box office receipts for the selection of the festival’s Best Picture starting from the 2010 edition.

He also established the ongoing Cinefone or Cellular Phone Film Festival for high school and college students nationwide. The festival showcases students’ works featuring 3-minute films based on single themes such as environment protection, disaster preparedness and road safety. Tolentino also supported indie films by establishing the New Wave section and student short film competition and initiated the first MMFF animation category.

Tolentino’s initiatives were lauded by the entertainment sector and he hopes to continue to be of service to the industry if elected as senator.

Proposed Film Development Act of 2016

“I am proposing the Film Development Act of 2016 that will provide government subsidies to local filmmakers who will compete in international filmfests. Winners will also receive rewards. Under this proposed law, local film producers will also be given tax incentives especially when they produce during summer months when foreign films are released worldwide,” he declared.

Also under this law, film industry employees and their immediate family members will be provided with health and medical and educational support while films that promote Filipino values, culture and history will also be given funding and technology assistance and promotional support if these are shown abroad.

In addition, he vowed local government support for regional filmfests and further strengthening anti-film piracy laws.

“It’s really important to help our Filipino filmmakers and producers as a way of encouraging them to continue making movies,” he declared.