Gatchalian bloc: Cayetano flood control hearing 'bogus'

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 the new group of Senator 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.”

It called the absence of the Cayetano bloc in the plenary sessions an “insult” to the institution and to the Filipino people who pay their hard-earned taxes.

“There are no official Senate hearings scheduled for this morning, and any so‑called “hearing” convened by Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, (Robin) Padilla, and (Rodante) Marcoleta has no basis in the rules, calendar, or authority of the Senate,” they said.

Further, the Gatchalian bloc said the Cayetano bloc’s hearing is only a grab for power under “inquiry” and “oversight” after clinging to positions they have already lost in the “valid and constitutional” Senate reorganization.

"For clarity, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano is no longer Senate President after the Senate, with 12 senators present and a quorum declared based on the recognized base number of 22 under Avelino v. Cuenco, voted to declare all positions vacant, including the presidency of the institution," the Gatchalian bloc said.

The Senate earlier failed to convene for the last two session days due to the continued absence of the Cayetano-led bloc. However, Escudero made a surprise appearance at the plenary, helping the majority to reach a quorum. He was the sole member of the previous majority bloc bloc to attend the session.

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.

Super Radyo dzBB's Nimfa Ravelo said no member of the secretariat of the Blue Ribbon committee can be seen during the hearing. She reported that the staff present at the session hall were that of the Cayetanos.

It was Cayetano who administered the oath to the individuals who claimed to deliver suitcases of money to several personalities allegedly involved in the flood control mess. Atty. Levito Baligod is also present at the hearing —VAL, GMA News