Gatchalian says Senate not on lockdown; urges peers to work remotely

MANILA, Philippines — Acting Senate President  Sherwin Gatchalian clarified on Wednesday that the upper chamber is not under lockdown, although he appealed to fellow senators to work remotely still amid alleged threats against the chamber.

“The Senate is not under lockdown;  the term is heightened security,” Gatchalian said during a Zoom interview.

Although some staff members were denied entry to the chamber on Wednesday, Gatchalian said senators could still come into the Senate if necessary.

READ: Senate under heightened security amid possible threat

“But as a rule, we are on a work-from-home set-up because of the security concerns,” he said.

“I’m appealing to our senators. I’m encouraging our senators to work from home because of the security threat.”

He said Senate employees have been authorized to work from home on Wednesday and Thursday following security information received from the National Bureau of Investigation.

In a memorandum issued Tuesday, the Senate President pro tempore also directed the sergeant-at-arms to enforce stricter security measures, including a temporary “no-visitor policy.” /dp