Power outage hits Senate, work suspended

The Senate building at the GSIS Complex in Pasay City. (Photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — A power outage due to Typhoon Ulysses on Thursday resulted in the cancellation of work in the Senate in Pasay City.

Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Rene Samonte reported to Senate President Vicente Sotto III that the Senate building’s transformer blew up thrice due to strong rains and winds.

Local phone lines in the building are also out of commission while internet connectivity has also been interrupted.

“I have decided to suspend the session until Monday, 10 a.m.,” Sotto told reporters in a Viber message.

On Wednesday, the Senate’s plenary debates were also cut short to enable employees to go home early.

Senate Secretary Atty. Myra Villarica also announced that work in the Senate is suspended and will resume Monday next week.

“[P]lease be advised that work in the Senate will be suspended today. Hearings and meetings scheduled today are postponed until further notice,” Villarica said.

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