National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag on Thursday said he will wait for the issuance of a subpoena from the “proper” Blue Ribbon Committee after Senator Alan Peter Cayetano invited him to appear before the body.
Individuals claiming to be former members of the Philippine Marines alleged Thursday that they delivered suitcases of money to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Senators Vicente "Tito" Sotto III and Erwin Tulfo, Representative Leila de Lima, and former Rep. France Castro, among others.
During the Senate hearing on the flood control mess presided over by Senator Pia Cayetano, Johnny Buduan said that in 2022, they delivered five suitcases to Ilocos Norte.
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag on Thursday said an informant told the bureau that former AnaKalusugan Representative Mike Defensor bribed alleged former Marines and soldiers to make claims that several personalities received cash from former Ako Bicol Party-List Representative Zaldy Co.
Citing the informant, Matibag said Defensor allegedly offered P5 million.
"Mayroong isang individual na nagbigay ng statement noong April 28 at saka May 6 na mayroon siyang alegasyon, na 'yung isa doon sa isang Marines, may relasyon sila, may relationship sila, at napag-usapan nila. Alam niya 'yung nangyayari dito sa 18 Marines na ito at may allegation na may binayad," he said.
(One individual gave a statement on April 28 and May 6, claiming to have a relationship with one of the Marines. They had discussions. They knew what was happening with these 18 Marines, and there is an allegation that payment was made.)
The Gatchalian bloc on Thursday slammed the Senate hearing on the flood control mess held by the Cayetano bloc, describing it as "bogus, unofficial, and unauthorized."
“We urge our colleagues to abandon this bogus ‘hearing,’ respect the rules, the quorum, and the duly constituted leadership of the Senate,” said acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian in a statement.
"The Senate’s mandate is to uphold the Constitution, check abuses, and pass laws for the people’s welfare," he also said.
Gatchalian said that the senators under Senator Alan Peter Cayetano have refused to attend “legitimately called sessions” and are thus “grandstanding in an unofficial and unauthorized gathering.”
Senator Robin Padilla and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla jostled each other inside the Senate on Thursday.
This happened as a group of 18 men identifying themselves as former Marines entered the premises as resource persons in a Blue Ribbon Committee hearing presided over by Senator Pia Cayetano.
Based on the video, Padilla and Remulla were seen engaging in a tense confrontation.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday allowed Senate employees who reported to work onsite to leave the office beginning 10 a.m. in anticipation of the activities within and around the upper chamber's premises.
In an advisory, Gatchalian, who was elected Senate president pro tempore Wednesday, said this is to prioritize the welfare of Senate personnel while allowing offices to continue carrying out their functions through appropriate work arrangements.
"Since no official business has been scheduled today, June 4, 2026, and in consideration of the safety, security, and well-being of Senate personnel in light of the anticipated activities within and around the Senate premises, Senate President Pro Tempore Win Gatchalian has authorized all Senate officers and employees who reported on-site to leave the office beginning at 10:00 a.m. today," the advisory read.
The Senate blue ribbon committee on Thursday resumed its hearing on flood control projects with Senator Pia Cayetano presiding over it.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano earlier told GMA News that the Blue Ribbon committee hearing on flood control projects will proceed as scheduled despite Senator Erwin Tulfo's announcement that it is postponed until further notice.
During the session of the Senate on Wednesday, 12 senators elected Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as elected Senate President Pro Tempore while Tulfo was elected as chairperson of the Blue Ribbon committee.
Pia Cayetano was the chairperson of the committee before Gatchalian was declared as acting Senate president.
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.
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