New Senate majority cites potential threat in chamber
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 8:40 p.m.) — Some members of the new Senate majority have raised concerns over a potential threat to the Senate, with Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian later ordering employees to work from home while security checks are conducted.
In a statement on Tuesday, June 9, Gatchalian said National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag had informed them of a "potential threat to the Senate building and the Senate premises."
"I will be meeting the Senate Executive Committee, including the Sergeant-at-Arms, today to make the necessary security adjustments," Gatchalian said.
"The security and safety of all Senators and all Senate employees is paramount. We will make sure that our work environment is safe and secure," he added.
In a message to reporters, Sen. Tito Sotto said the threat is a "clear and present danger" and that "serious considerations must be taken."
The lawmakers, however, did not specify the threat they were referring to. During the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on June 8, Matibag, at one point, asked that certain information be relayed to them privately.
Philstar.com reached out to Matibag for further information on the matter, but he has yet to respond.
Lacson warns of unrest risk
Sen. Ping Lacson said the information reaching him remained "sketchy and raw," but suggested that the possible threat stemmed from the power play in the Senate, flood control anomalies, inflation, rising fuel prices and other concerns.
"As per information, though still sketchy and raw, the level of frustration within the armed services has reached up to battalion and regional levels," Lacson said in a statement.
He said some within the armed services were closely monitoring developments in what he described as an ongoing national crisis brought about by internal and external factors.
Lacson said history has shown that coup attempts without civilian support have not succeeded, but warned that the situation could still be exploited.
"The danger is, if some unscrupulous and power-hungry destabilizers among some aligned political groups would take advantage by fanning the flame of discontent, rightly or wrongly, which could trigger widespread mass movements and protests," he said.
Work-from-home order
Following the reported threat, Gatchalian ordered Senate employees to work from home from Wednesday, June 10, to Thursday, June 11.
In a memorandum, Gatchalian said the arrangement would allow security assessments, inspections and other precautionary measures to be carried out within the Senate premises.
"All Senate Secretariat and Senate Proper employees are hereby authorized to Work-from-Home (WFH) for the remainder of the week, June 10-11, 2026 (Wednesday and Thursday)," Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian directed office heads to implement remote work arrangements to ensure Senate operations continue. Personnel may still be required to report on-site if needed for essential services, safety or security functions.
"The names of personnel required to report on-site shall be submitted to the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms," he said.
The security concerns come as the Senate remains locked in a leadership dispute between the bloc recognizing Gatchalian as acting Senate president and the camp of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who maintains that he remains the chamber’s lawful leader.
- Latest
- Trending
