The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will invite 18 self-identified former Marines to attend an official hearing on Monday, June 8, its chairman, Sen. Erwin Tulfo said, stressing that their testimonies must be formally recorded.
Tulfo said the former Marines, along with former lawmaker Mike Defensor and their legal counsel, lawyer Levi Baligod, are expected to appear and testify under oath as part of the committee’s inquiry.
“Kailangan po nilang mag-attend dahil kung hindi sila po ay baka ma-issue ng contempt,” Tulfo said in an interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos.
The senator emphasized that the upcoming proceeding will be the official hearing of the panel, unlike a separate gathering held Thursday by a rival bloc, which he described as lacking formal recognition.
According to Tulfo, the June 4 session had no official Senate records because it was conducted without the presence of the Blue Ribbon Committee secretariat, stenographers, or media recording units.
“Hindi maitatawag na hearing kasi talakayan lang ‘yon, press briefing, forum, definitely hindi hearing ‘yon,” he said.
Tulfo said testimonies given during that session, including the oath-taking of the ex-Marines, would not be part of the Senate’s official records.
He said Monday’s hearing will be properly documented, with the committee secretariat and Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau present to record proceedings.
Aside from the former Marines, Tulfo said representatives from the National Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman have also been invited.
The senator added that individuals accused by the ex-Marines may be called to a subsequent hearing, possibly before the end of June, to answer allegations.
Tulfo said the committee aims to wrap up the inquiry after a few more hearings and eventually refer the matter to the Ombudsman for appropriate action.
“Hindi naman kasi kami mga prosecutor,” he said, noting that the panel’s role is to conduct investigations in aid of legislation and public accountability, while prosecution falls under the Ombudsman and the courts.
He also maintained that the Senate leadership had instructed their group to allow Thursday’s gathering to proceed despite questions over its legitimacy, since it would not be included in the official Senate journal.
Tulfo said all members of the committee, including those from the opposing bloc, have been invited to attend Monday’s hearing, adding that notices had already been sent earlier in the week.
He warned that refusal to attend could lead to contempt proceedings, reiterating the need for sworn, recorded testimonies that could be used in court.
“Kailangan po nilang mag-attend dahil kung hindi, baka sila ay maisyuhan ng contempt,” said Tulfo.
