Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian announced Thursday that no resource persons would be allowed to enter the Senate session hall, as no Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing is scheduled on June 4.
“Since walang hearing, walang resource person… They will not be allowed kasi walang hearing,” he said, adding that this is reportedly under the Senate’s security policy.
Gatchalian said the announcement came from Blue Ribbon Committee Chair Erwin Tulfo, noting that no formal hearing would proceed today.
“Walang pagdinig ngayon. There's no hearing today, 'yan ang announcement ng Blue Ribbon Chair na si Sen. Erwin Tulfo,” Gatchalian said during a press conference.
“Hindi ako mahilig sa mga padlock-padlock. Basta sundan lang ang protocol,” he said when asked if he would order the Senate hall to be padlocked.
He emphasized that while senators retain full access to the Senate building, the restriction applies only to resource persons, citing standard security protocols.
“Ang senador this is their building, hindi ito building ng senate president ng senate president pro tempore. Office ito ng mga senador. So, karapat-dapat lang sila pumasok dito,” he said, clarifying that access is not being restricted for lawmakers.
Gatchalian also dismissed any suggestion that the move was intended to block the Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation into alleged flood control anomalies. He stressed that the inquiry will continue as planned.
“Walang attempt, itutuloy ang blue ribbon hearing. Si Sen. Erwin Tulfo, the chairman of the blue ribbon, itutuloy niya ‘yan,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gatchalian noted that he is able to perform the functions of the Senate President in an acting capacity amid the vacancy of the post.
He said this arrangement ensures that Senate operations continue without disruption while awaiting the formal election of a new Senate President.
"In the absence of a Senate President, I can perform the duties para hindi nahihinto iyong administrative duties dito sa Senado," Gatchalian said.
"Acting senate president ang aking designation. Under our rules, 'pag wala ang senate president, we can perform on [an] acting basis. Hihintayin natin yung formal election ng senate president," he added.
