Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian has accused former congressman Mike Defensor of misleading the public after the latter announced what he described as a “Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing” in Mandaluyong City.
In an ambush interview, Gatchalian said Defensor’s announcement created confusion because he is neither a senator, a member of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, nor its chairman.
"Well, definitely niloloko niya yung tao. Definitely gumagawa siya ng confusion dahil doon sa post niya, Blue Ribbon hearing, hindi naman siya chairman. Hindi naman siya member; hindi naman siya senador. Bakit niya (nililinlang) ang tao?" Gatchalian said.
The senator revealed that he is already coordinating with Senator Erwin Tulfo, who was elected chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, to study possible legal action against Defensor over the matter.
"So, kausap po si Senator Erwin na pinag-aaralan din namin yung legal action dahil ninoloko niya ang taong-bayan. Hindi tama yun. Dahil pag niloloko, ginagamit niya ang titulo ng Senado, hindi tama 'yon dahil panloloko ang ginagawa," Gatchalian added.
Defensor earlier announced on his Facebook account that a “Blue Ribbon Committee hearing” would be held in Mandaluyong City, where 18 former bodyguards of former congressman Zaldy Co were expected to testify, along with additional witnesses.
Asked why Defensor was the one making the announcement, Gatchalian said he could not explain the move but suggested it may have been intended to make the public believe the event was official.
"Tingin ko, para lukohin ang tao at pagkakataon. Dahil pag naloko yung tao, tingin nila official yun," he said.
Gatchalian also disclosed that he has yet to communicate with Senators Rodolfo Marcoleta and Pia Cayetano regarding the supposed hearing, noting that he had been focused on security-related matters in recent days.
As of posting time, the political group PDP-Laban announced that the hearing would proceed as scheduled under the leadership of Senator Rodante Marcoleta.
