Tulfo: ‘Blue Ribbon hearing’ today unauthorized

MANILA, Philippines — Senate Blue Ribbon committee chairman Erwin Tulfo described as “illegitimate” today’s “hearing” announced by Michael Defensor, saying the former congressman “is neither a member of the Senate nor the Blue Ribbon committee.”

“Perhaps it’s meant for destabilization, clear as day,” Tulfo said.

Defensor yesterday announced a “Blue Ribbon committee hearing” to be held at the Doublegem EDSA Garden Events Place at 10 a.m., which will be attended by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s faction, along with 18 self-styled bagmen and 14 unidentified others.

In an official statement released yesterday, Tulfo tore into the announcement by Defensor.

“I am sure, 99.9 percent, that they will again malign the President and all officials,” he said.

“This is why he wants public support, so people can watch him. That’s why the last gathering was a sham, an illegal gathering. What is their objective?” Tulfo stressed.

He said no member of the Blue Ribbon committee secretariat would be sent to the purported hearing.

“Legislative proceedings must strictly adhere to established protocols. Under the Rules of the Senate, a formal three-day notice and agenda distribution are mandatory prior to any committee hearing,” the statement read.

“The purported June 16 hearing completely bypasses this institutional requirement, rendering it illegitimate,” Tulfo added.

Since Defensor is not a senator or a Blue Ribbon member, the committee noted that he is not privy to its official investigations and “possesses no legal standing to announce any proceeding on behalf of the Senate.”

The Cayetano bloc’s plan to hold a parallel proceeding follows a leadership dispute that paralyzed the upper chamber, leading the new 12-member majority bloc to declare all committee chairmanships vacant on June 3.

Tulfo warned against the use of the Senate’s name for political maneuvers.

“The Blue Ribbon committee will not permit its name and institutional integrity to be misrepresented or utilized for unauthorized disclosures,” he declared.

“The public is urged to rely exclusively on the official announcements and advisories from the Blue Ribbon committee and/or Senate of the Philippines,” he said.

Cayetano’s bloc had picked his sister Pia as Blue Ribbon chair, with Rodante Marcoleta heading a subcommittee.

No recognition

Commenting on the matter, acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said the upper chamber would not recognize any hearing or investigation conducted outside of the duly constituted Blue Ribbon committee chaired by Tulfo.

He dismissed any parallel proceedings as carrying no legal weight or institutional authority.

“The Senate is focused on real investigation and prosecution of corruption in the proper manner and forum. That is our promise to the Filipino people,” Gatchalian said, reiterating his call for all witnesses and resource persons to come forward and testify before the Blue Ribbon committee.