By Herman Lagon
The Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) will have Senator Francis N. Tolentino as its commencement speaker at the 2024 Commencement Exercises on Friday, July 26, at 1 p.m. at the Barotac Nuevo Tamasak Arena, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.
ISUFST President Dr. Nordy Siason Jr. expressed his excitement about having one of the country’s most dynamic senators as this year’s commencement speaker.
“Sen. Tolentino’s public service experience and commitment to education and social justice make him a role model for our graduates. His wisdom and insights will inspire and motivate our students’ careers,” Dr. Siason said.
“Having a leader like him speak to our graduates emphasizes ethics and public service. We are pleased to welcome Sen. Tolentino to ISUFST and look forward to his address, which will impact our graduates.”
Sen. Tolentino, a distinguished public servant and advocate for education and public service, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the occasion.
Born in Albay and raised in Tagaytay City, Cavite, Tolentino has an impressive educational background. He holds three Master of Laws (LLM) degrees: one from the University of Michigan Law School, specializing in Constitutional Law; another from the University of London, specializing in Public International Law with Second Honors; and a third from Columbia Law School, specializing in Corporation Law, where he achieved superior academic performance.
He also holds a Master of National Security Administration (MNSA) from the National Defense College of the Philippines, where he ranked sixth out of 55 graduates, and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Ateneo de Manila University Law School. He passed the Philippine Bar Exams in 1984 with a General Average of 86.25% and the New York State Bar Exams.
Throughout his career, Sen. Tolentino has held various significant positions. He served as OIC and was elected Mayor of Tagaytay City, where he served three consecutive terms from 1995 to 2004.
During his tenure, he was also elected President of the League of Cities of the Philippines in 2001. He later served as Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) from 2010 to 2015 and was appointed Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs from 2017 to 2018.
In the Senate, Tolentino was elected in May 2019 and has chaired several important committees, including the Senate Committee on Local Government and the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing, and Resettlement. He is currently the Senate Majority Leader and Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. He has also served as Chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
Sen. Tolentino’s commitment to education is evident in his various roles as a law professor at several prestigious universities, including Ateneo de Manila University, Centro Escolar University, New Era University, University of San Carlos, and Silliman University.
His numerous publications include “Across the Oceans: United States and Philippine Overseas Voting Laws,” “Pandemic Handbook for Philippine Local Governments,” “Philippine Cities Creation,” and “Soul of Freedom.”
Tolentino has been recognized for his contributions to public service and education with several awards, including the University’s Award of Highest Honor by Soka University in Tokyo, Japan, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Reserve Officer of the Year, and Most Outstanding City Mayor of the Philippines by various organizations.
The 2024 batch of ISUFST comprises 1,016 graduates, including five magna cum laude and 230 cum laude graduates from the Main Campus Tiwi (153) and Poblacion Sites (266), Dingle Campus (224), Dumangas Campus (163), and San Enrique Campus (210). It also has 154 graduates from its School of Graduate Studies and 53 from its transitioning out Fisheries and Marine Science High School.
Sen. Tolentino’s address is anticipated to inspire the graduates as they embark on their professional journeys, underscoring the importance of education, public service, and ethical leadership. (Text by Herman Lagon | Photo from francistolentino.ph/PAMMCO)
