05 August 2004 – Secretary of Foreign Affairs Delia Domingo-Albert today described the late Senator and former Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Philippines Arturo N. Tolentino as a man who “loved his people – the Everyman of his country, the not-too-wealthy and the not-too-miserable who make up the great majority of our people.”  In her eulogy, delivered on her behalf by Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Jose S. Brillantes, Secretary Albert recalled the life and works of the great statesman and true patriot that Senator Tolentino was.

She related how the late Senator, from being an outstanding scholar at the University of the Philippines and a distinguished member of the Bar, became a militant and outspoken youth leader.  “His education and training made him realize the importance of public service,” Secretary Albert said.

Secretary Albert’s message also recognized Senator Tolentino as a prolific and nationalistic legislator.  He has 2,000 bills to his name, among which that became laws are the Anti-Graft and Corrupt practices Act and other pro poor laws such as one that enabled tenants of haciendas in Metro Manila to buy the leased or occupied by them.

“As Foreign Secretary, the people-loving Tolentino improved the consular services of the Department of Foreign Affairs, stressing the right of every citizen to obtain a passport as a document of his Filipino identity and citizenship,” the Secretary’s tribute recounted.  “He was instrumental in the formulation and adoption of the archipelagic principle, defining the territorial rights of the archipelagic countries like the Philippines,” Secretary Albert added.

The late Senator’s remains were brought to the Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini of the DFA at 2:00 this afternoon for traditional necrological services given to former Foreign Ministers of the land.  Tolentino’s cortege was received at the DFA compound with full military honors and was welcomed by the entire body of DFA officials and personnel.

Other top ranking officials of the DFA also gave their tributes and memorials to Senator Tolentino, among them were Undersecretaries Rafael E. Seguis (Special Concerns) and Franklin M. Ebdalin (Administration); Assistant Secretaries Ariel Y. Abadilla (American Affairs) and Norberto R. Basilio (Middle East and African Affairs); and former Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Benjamin B. Domingo.

Tolentino’s son Atty. Salvador C. Tolentino gave the response on his family’s behalf.  Atty. Tolentino thanked the DFA officials for the tribute paid to his father and conveyed a wish of the late Senator and Foreign Minister for the proper implementation by the Philippines of the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). As Foreign Minister, Tolentino also headed the Philippine delegations to various international conferences most especially to the preparatory meetings leading to the adoption and entry into force of the UNCLOS.  There, Minister Tolentino enunciated and promoted the Philippine position on the archipelagic doctrine and many of the provisions under Part IV – Archipelagic States – of the UNCLOS were developed and adopted through the interventions of Minister Tolentino.  END.