Blue ribbon panel becomes new fault line as Senate blocs clash over chairship

MANILA, Philippines — A Senate investigation into the flood control controversy has become entangled in the chamber’s leadership dispute, with competing camps issuing conflicting directives on whether a scheduled Blue Ribbon Committee hearing should proceed.

Tulfo, who was named Blue Ribbon chair after the new Senate majority declared committee posts vacant on Wednesday, June 3, said the hearing originally scheduled for Thursday, June 4, would be reset to give members time to review the list of resource persons.

"We are just moving the schedule date from tomorrow to prepare all members," Tulfo told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday.

Tulfo said the issue was not only timing but process. He said the list of invited resource persons had been released to the media before it was properly given to committee members.

"The proper way to invite resource persons: You do not give it out to the media. You give it to the members first," Tulfo said.

"It should have been given first to the members para may idadagdag, may ipapabawas doon. Sabihin, 'Hindi, wala ito.' The members should have been consulted," he added.

(It should have been given first to the members so they could add or remove names. They could say, "No, not this one." The members should have been consulted.)

An invitation to cover the June 4 Blue Ribbon hearing had earlier been sent to the media. The invited resource persons included 18 former Marines alleging corruption, government officials, the Ombudsman and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Cayetano insists Pia remains chair

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who called Wednesday’s Senate session and reorganization "illegal" and insisted on his continued Senate presidency, said in a Facebook live that the Blue Ribbon hearing should proceed Thursday and that his sister, Sen. Pia Cayetano remains the committee chair.

"Senator Pia Cayetano is the chairperson because there was no call. There was no session under the law that took place," Cayetano said, arguing that the vote that reorganized Senate posts was invalid.

Cayetano said he would issue a memo to the Senate Secretariat and the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms to keep the Senate open for the hearing. He also warned against using rallies or security concerns as a reason to close the chamber.

"Do not padlock the Senate. Do not have an excuse na may rally. Parati naman may rally sa Senate," he said. (Do not padlock the Senate. Do not use a rally as an excuse. There are always rallies at the Senate.)

Cayetano accused the new majority of postponing the hearing to prevent the invited resource persons from testifying, asking what the Marines, Ombudsman, Justice Department and Department of Public Works and Highways might say that would make senators fight over the proceeding.

Members of the rival bloc, however, had urged Cayetano to resign for refusing to convene sessions since Monday, thereby failing to decide on key appointments and pending legislation.