SENATE President Win Gatchalian has raised concerns that the so‑called “Blue Ribbon Committee hearing” announced by former Representative Mike Defensor may be part of broader destabilization efforts, citing intelligence reports from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.
According to Gatchalian, the information gathered by security agencies suggests that such unauthorized activities are not merely internal political disputes but could be aimed at creating confusion, undermining institutional processes, and weakening public trust in the Senate as an institution. He emphasized that actions that misrepresent official functions or falsely claim authority are taken seriously, especially when they coincide with attempts to disrupt the government’s operations.
Gatchalian clarified that Defensor has no legal or official standing to call or organize a hearing under the Blue Ribbon Committee. “Definitely, he is fooling the people. Definitely, he is creating confusion, because in his post, he claims it is a Blue Ribbon hearing. But he is not the chairman, he is not a member, and he is not even a senator,” Gatchalian stated. He stressed that only the committee leadership recognized by the Senate has the power to conduct inquiries, and any gathering held outside this framework has no legal effect, no authority, and cannot be considered an official proceeding of the upper chamber.
In response, Gatchalian said he is coordinating closely with the officially recognized Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman, Senator Erwin Tulfo, to review all available options and determine the appropriate legal actions to take against those responsible for misleading the public and misrepresenting the Senate. This includes looking into possible violations of laws and rules governing the conduct of public affairs and the proper use of official titles and functions.
He also revealed that he has not yet spoken with Senators Pia Cayetano and Rodante Marcoleta, whom the camp of ousted Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano still recognizes as the chairperson of the main committee and head of its subcommittee, respectively. Gatchalian noted that the differing claims over leadership further complicate the situation, but reiterated that the Senate will act based on its official records, internal rules, and the mandate of the majority, while ensuring that all steps taken remain within the bounds of the law and the Constitution.
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