Erwin Tulfo says no Blue Ribbon committee hearing on June 16

Senator Erwin Tulfo said Monday that there will be no Blue Ribbon committee hearing on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, contrary to the announcement made by former lawmaker Mike Defensor.

"The committee wishes to clarify that the recent announcements made by former congressman Mike Defensor regarding an alleged hearing on said date were made without the authority, and approval of the committee. Accordingly, the committee categorically rejects the misinformation being circulated online," Tulfo said in a signed statement.

The statement entitled, "OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF THE SENATE BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE on the Unauthorized June 16, 2026 Hearing," has the official logo of the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations.

Tulfo said legislative proceedings must strictly adhere to established protocols, adding that under the Rules of the Senate, a formal three-day notice and agenda distribution are mandatory before any committee hearing.

"The purported June 16 hearing completely bypasses this institutional requirement, rendering it illegitimate," he said.

He further said that Defensor is neither a member of the Senate nor the Blue Ribbon committee and, consequently, not privy to the official investigations of the body.

He added that Defensor possesses no legal standing to announce any proceeding on behalf of the Senate.

"The Blue Ribbon Committee will not permit its name and institutional integrity to be misrepresented or utilized for unauthorized disclosures. The public is urged to rely exclusively on the official announcements and advisories from the Blue Ribbon Committee and/or Senate of the Philippines," Tulfo said.

Tulfo is the elected chairperson of the Blue Ribbon committee under the Gatchalian bloc.

In a Facebook post Sunday evening, Defensor called on the public to join and support a Blue Ribbon committee hearing that will be held in an events place outside the Senate.

He also urged the public to support the 18 individuals who claimed delivering suitcases of money to several personalities.

Defensor also rallied support for Senators Alan and Pia Cayetano, Rodante Marcoleta, Imee Marcos, Camille and Mark Villar, Robin Padilla, Loren Legarda, Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Go, Joel Villanueva, and Ronald dela Rosa.—AOL, GMA News