Tulfo-led Senate blue ribbon suspends June 4 hearing (original) (raw)

Senate blue ribbon committee chair Erwin Tulfo gives a briefing on internal movements in the Senate on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. —SCREENSHOT FROM AN INQUIRER.NET LIVESTREAM VIDEO

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate blue ribbon committee, chaired by Sen. Erwin Tulfo, formally announced on Wednesday that the 9th public hearing on the flood control scandal is suspended until further notice.

The hearing was supposed to be conducted on Thursday, June 4, 2026.

The announcement came after Senate president pro tempore Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian earlier declared that there would be no official business at the Senate on Thursday, June 4, even authorizing all Senate staff to work from home.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Gatchalian: No official business on June 4; WFH allowed for Senate staff

This, he said, is to “preserve the neutrality of the Senate bureaucracy” and recover the morale of Senate staff, especially after recent developments in the upper chamber.

It should be noted, however, that Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano—who continues to assert his position as Senate president—earlier announced through a memorandum that all hearings scheduled under his leadership, including Thursday’s Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, would proceed as planned.

READ: Senate finally convened: Why and how?

Cayetano even said he intends to go to the Senate before 10 a.m. himself on Thursday to ensure that the Session hall will be opened for the blue ribbon committee hearing.

Article continues after this advertisement

The conflicting orders stem from the recent Senate leadership changes, where the new majority, consisting of the former minority senators with the addition of Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero moved to declare all seats vacant during Wednesday’s session.

Gatchalian was then elected Senate president pro tempore, as well as the acting Senate chief.

Article continues after this advertisement

Along with the other changes is Tulfo being named the new chair of the blue ribbon committee, replacing Sen. Pia Cayetano.

The senators belonging to Cayetano’s bloc, however, did not accept these changes and are continuing to challenge them, citing the 1987 Constitution, as well as the Rules of the Senate that state that a majority of 13 senators is required to make such amendments.

Gatchalian earlier explained that the 12 senators were only forced to convene after Cayetano failed to appear during the scheduled resumption of sessions on Monday and Tuesday, which meant the Senate was on the brink of violating Article VI, Section 16(5) of the Constitution.

Article VI of the Constitution bars either chamber of Congress from adjourning for more than three days during session without the consent of the other house.

Gatchalian also explained that the quorum of 12 was based on the majority number of 22 senators, citing a Supreme Court ruling in Avelino v. Cuenco.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

To recall, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa can no longer appear before the Senate in person as the former is currently detained due to plunder charges, while the latter remains in hiding amid an outstanding arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court. /cb