Gatchalian: No hearing, no resource persons allowed in session hall

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian on Thursday said no resource persons would be allowed inside the session hall as the bloc of Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano moves to proceed with a Blue Ribbon Committee hearing scheduled for the same day.

Gatchalian made the statement during a press conference, maintaining that there would be no official hearings on Thursday, June 4.

“This is the offie of the senators so it is only right that they be allowed to enter,” said Gatchalian when asked if senators who intends to attend the Cayetano bloc’s hearing will be allowed in the hall.

“If there is no hearing, no resource persons. They will not be allowed because there is no hearing. That’s under the security policy,” he added.

To recall, the Senate blue ribbon committee—under the chairmanship of Sen. Erwin Tulfo—has already announced that the hearing has been moved to Monday, June 8.

However, even as Gatchalian was holding the briefing, the Senate session hall was already being prepared for the Cayetano bloc’s hearing.

When asked about this, Gatchalian responded: “Actually hindi ko alam para saan ‘yan, but wala tayong hearing today.” (Actually, I don’t know what that’s for, but we don’t have a hearing today.)

He disputed claims that suspension was an attempt to stop the hearings.

“There is no attempt, the blue ribbon hearing will continue, that’s very clear, Senator Erwin Tulfo will continue it,” said Gatchalian.

“Of course since bago ang appointment niya (he’s newly-appointed), he has to update himself with the situation and with the pieces of evidence,” he added. /dl/gsg