Senate security now authorized to protect senators, serve orders

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MANILA, Philippines — The Senate has authorized its security to protect its members in light of alleged threats to the lives of some senators probing suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo.

This new order is contained in the amended rules approved by the chamber Tuesday night, according to Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

“Last night we amended a portion of the rules…na ino-authorize namin yung (authorizing the) Sergeant-At-Arms to do what he can to protect not only the institution, the office, the building, and those in it but also the members of it,” Escudero said during a press briefing in the Senate on Wednesday.

He was referring to the Office of the head of the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms (Osaa), retired Army Gen. Roberto Ancan.

“So kung ano man yung ibig sabihin nun e pag-aaralan pa namin. Ang importante, na-authorize na yung Sergeant-At-Arms na gawin yun,” the Senate chief said.

(So whatever that means, we will study it further. What’s important is that the Sergeant-At-Arms has already been authorized to do that.)

But  Escudero quickly clarified that this has nothing to do with the alleged security pullout of some senators, specifically mentioning Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Christopher “Bong” Go.

“Itong amendment na ito ay dahil dun sa nanyari sa mga pagdinig kay Mayor Alice Guo na nagkaroon ng banta sa ilang miyembro at nagkaroon ng ilang question kaugnay sa pag-serve ng mga warrant of arrest at contempt orders ng Senado na kailangan pang dumaan sa police,” he explained.

(This amendment is due to what happened during the hearings on Mayor Alice Guo, where there were threats against some members and questions regarding the service of warrants of arrest and contempt orders from the Senate, which need to go through the police.)

Last July 4, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian reported to Pasay police that he had received threats to his life because of his active participation in the Senate probe into illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos).

READ: Gatchalian reports threats made against his life for probing Alice Guo

Guo, meanwhile, was ordered arrested by the Senate for her failure to show up in past hearings of the committee on women looking into her alleged ties to illegal Pogos.

READ: Arrest Alice Guo, others – Senate

The Senate has also authorized the Osaa to directly serve warrants of arrest and other summons issued by the chamber.

“So ino-authorize namin specifically at directly ang Sergeant-At-Arms na i-serve yung mga warrant at contempt orders maliban sa police,” Escudero said.

(So we’re specifically and directly authorizing the Sergeant-At-Arms to serve the warrant and contempt  orders, aside from the police.)

“Again, not because of the pullout of the security of some members. It was more because of the Guo hearings,” he stressed.

The amendment to the Senate rules was initiated by Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino through his Senate Resolution No. 1114.

During Tuesday’s session of the chamber, Tolentino underscored the crucial role of the Osaa, which he said is not just “mere ceremonial.”

“The office of the Sergeant-At-Arms is critical in maintaining our legislative integrity, particularly in serving summons and executing contempt orders. These duties are vital to our oversight functions, ensuring compliance with our directives in supporting thorough investigations and accountability,” he said.

“To empower the Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms, we must provide the necessary resources, support, legal resources and legal authority. This will enable the effective enforcement of our mandates reinforcing our commitment to the rule of law, and transparency,” he added.

In his resolution, Tolentino pointed out the Senates’ reliance on law enforcement agencies, especially in the execution or serving of summons and subpoenas, enforcement of contempt orders, and the protection and safety of each senator.

“Such reliance on law enforcement agencies, while carried out within the bounds of the law, nonetheless hampers the Senate’s capacity, as part of an independent branch of government, to establish its own security and operational protocols,” he said.

The Osaa should then be empowered to maintain order and security of the institution, and ensure the protection and safety of its members within and outside the Senate, among others, he added.

His resolution was later adopted by the upper chamber.