Senate suspends work Tuesday

Senate of the Philippines. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/JESS YUSON

MANILA, Philippines—Work has been suspended in the Senate on Tuesday following the directive of President Benigno Aquino III suspending work in all government offices in Metro Manila.

Senate Secretary Emma Lirio Reyes, through the instructions of Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile, made the announcement Tuesday morning following the issuance of Memorandum Circular No. 33 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.

Aside from the suspension of work and regular Senate session, four committee hearings were also suspended including the briefing by the Development Budget Coordination Committee on the 2013 National Expenditure Program to the Senate Committee on Finance and inquiry of the committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on the recent fraternity-related hazing incident which left a law student dead.

Parts of Metro Manila and provinces in Luzon have been flooded due to heavy rains brought about by the southwest monsoon prevailing over the country.