Sherwin Gatchalian allows Senate staff to leave early

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.

Gatchalian also said that personnel of the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms and the Maintenance and General Services Bureau who follow the shifting schedule are not included in the shortened work hours.

On Thursday morning, Senator Pia Cayetano presided over the hearing of the Blue Ribbon committee on flood control projects. Among the guests are the 18 individuals who claimed to deliver suitcases of money to several personalities allegedly involved in the flood control mess. Their lawyyer, Atty. Levito Baligod, was also present at the hearing.

No member of the secretariat of the Blue Ribbon committee was present during the hearing.

Senator Erwin Tulfo, who was elected as chairperson of the Blue Ribbon committee on Wednesday, earlier said the Blue Ribbon hearing is postponed until further notice.

Pia Cayetano was the chairperson of the committee before Gatchalian was declared as acting Senate president.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said what happened during the Wednesday session was illegal and he is still the Senate president. —AOL, GMA News