Blue Ribbon flood control hearings postponed 'until further notice' —Erwin Tulfo

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's hearing on the flood control mess has been postponed "until further notice."

Initially scheduled for Thursday, June 4, the hearing was set to tackle several investigations and privilege speeches, including the committee's motu proprio inquiry in aid of legislation on flood control mess, according to a notice released by Blue Ribbon Committee chairperson Senator Erwin Tulfo.

Included in the agenda were:

• privilege speeches of Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson titled "Flooded Gates of Corruption" and "Flooded Gates of Hell" delivered on August 20, 2025 and September 9, 2025, respectively
• privilege speech of Senator Jinggoy Estrada titled "No One is Safe" delivered on September 10, 2025
• Senator Erwin Tulfo's privilege speech on the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board
• Senator Rodante Marcoleta's privilege speech on the alleged lack of parliamentary courtesy
• proposed Senate resolution seeking an inquiry into allegations of a money delivery scheme involving former military personnel employed by businessman Zaldy Co
• reported cooperation of certain government officials with the International Criminal Court (ICC).
• Marcoleta's privilege speech regarding a video statement made by former Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The notice did not state the reason for the postponement or indicate a new date for the hearing.

"Initially scheduled on 04 June 2026 (Thursday) is postponed until further notice," the notice signed by Tulfo read.

He previously said that the resumption of the Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation into the anomalous flood control projects will be on Monday.

Work from home

Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday evening authorized Senate offices to shift to a work-from-home setup on Thursday, June 4, citing no official business that day.

According to the memorandum issued hours after Gatchalian was elected Senate Pro Tempore, the work-from-home setup would give way “to the organization of committees under the new chairpersons." It said no official business had been scheduled for that date.

“In light of these developments and to preserve the neutrality of the Senate bureaucracy, all Senate Secretariat and Senate Proper offices are hereby authorized to work from home (WFH) on the said date,” the memorandum read.

Cayetanos

Saying he was still "the legitimate, legal, and moral Senate President," Cayetano said the hearing of the Blue Ribbon Committee would proceed as scheduled on Thursday.

The Blue Ribbon Committee, under his leadership, is chaired by his sister, Sen. Pia Cayetano.

“Tuloy ang hearing ng Blue Ribbon Committee. I am still the legitimate, legal, and moral Senate President of the Republic of the Philippines, and there are still functioning committees. We have to hear the testimonies. Invited po pati yung mga gumawa ng ilegal ngayon,” Cayetano said on Facebook.

(The Blue Ribbon Committee hearing will proceed. I am still the legitimate, legal, and moral Senate President of the Republic of the Philippines, and there are still functioning committees. We have to hear the testimonies. Even those who committed illegal acts today are invited.)

Cayetano also warned of a constitutional crisis and protests if a padlocked Senate would get in the way of the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing. —VAL, GMA News