Members of the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) will be summoned ahead of the official Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Monday to explain how a group led by Sen. Pia Cayetano was able to enter the plenary hall and hold a proceeding despite being barred.
“Bago kami maghearing sa Lunes [June 8] ng Blue Ribbon ay ipatatawag ko ang Senate Sergeant at Arms namin, mga members ng OSAA,” Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Erwin Tulfo said in an interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos
Tulfo said the move comes after a gathering took place Thursday inside the Senate session hall, even as acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian had earlier instructed that no hearing would be allowed and that Senate employees would be under work-from-home arrangements.
The group of senators under Cayetano, who had earlier chaired the Blue Ribbon Committee, proceeded with a session involving 18 self-identified former Marines who allegedly have information related to a widescale flood control scandal.
He questioned how the restriction was not enforced, saying the incident points to possible lapses in Senate security.
“Sinabihan na nga sila na bawal eh mukhang nakalusot sa kanila kaya nga eh gusto kong malaman sa kanila ano ba nangyari?” he said, adding that the situation was concerning given that senators hold office within the complex.
Tulfo described the incident as a “second strike” for the OSAA, referring to an earlier controversy involving reports of gunfire that, he said, turned out to be inaccurate.
“Kailangan natin ma-review ngayon dahil nakakatakot, 22 senators ang nagoopisina roon paano kung lusubin kami ng armadong grupo? Malulusutan sila basta.”
Despite the incident, Tulfo said there was no order to physically bar individuals from entering the entire Senate premises, noting that senators still have access to their offices. However, he said entry to the plenary hall had been prohibited.
He added that leadership had considered stricter measures, including locking the session hall or cutting power, but ultimately decided against them.
Tulfo reiterated that Thursday’s activity cannot be considered an official Senate hearing, citing the absence of the Blue Ribbon Committee’s secretariat, stenographers and official recording personnel.
“Hindi maitatawag na hearing kasi talakayan lang ‘yon, press briefing, forum, definitely hindi hearing ‘yon.”
The Blue Ribbon Committee is set to proceed with its official hearing on Monday, June 8, where invited resource persons, including 18 former Marines, officials from the National Bureau of Investigation, office of the Ombudsman, and Department of Justice are expected to testify under oath and on record.
