Former Tagaytay City mayor and 2016 senatorial candidate Francis Tolentino, who currently serves as an advisor to President Rodrigo Duterte, will administer a mass oath-taking next week, June 16, for newly-elected Bacolod City barangay captains and kagawads at the SMX Convention Center at SM City Bacolod.

“The mass oath-taking of our barangay officials is a solemn and very significant occasion in local governance,” said Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia.

He called Tolentino “a perfect choice” for the event.

The mayor, alongside Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, Bacolod lone district Rep. Greg Gasataya, and Bacolod City Department of the Interior and Local Government Director Ma. Joy Maredith Madayag will also be joining the ceremony.

Earlier this year, Tolentino, confirmed he will be seeking another senatorial run in 2019 under the ruling PDP-Laban.

During a visit to Negros Occidental, Tolentino also affirmed he is still awaiting results of the ongoing probe into the 2016 polls, where he narrowly lost a spot in the Senate, coming in 13th place behind embattled Senator Leila de Lima.

He also discussed federalism, noting his support for local autonomy.

“I will advocate for more local autonomy, like the Negros federal state,” Tolentino affirmed./WDJ