MANILA, Philippines — The backing of the most powerful man in the country proved to be helpful to Francis Tolentino as he finally snagged a seat in the upper chamber—three years after his failed Senate bid. Tolentino, who is part of the ruling PDP-Laban and endorsed by administration-backed slate Hugpong ng Pagbabago, ranked ninth in the final and official results dominated by Senate aspirants allied with President Rodrigo Duterte. The chief executive, in one of Tolentino’s political advertisements, appealed to the public to vote for Tolentino. Claiming he was cheated of the last spot, Tolentino filed an electoral protest against the now-detained De Lima. In April, a month before the May 13 polls, the Senate Electoral Tribunal dismissed the electoral protest filed by Tolentino.

Source: Philippine Star May 22, 2019 02:20 UTC