Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Erwin Tulfo labeled a hearing announced by Michael Defensor as illegitimate. The event was set for June 16 at the Doublegem EDSA Garden Events Place. Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said the Senate would not recognize any such proceeding.
Tulfo stated that Defensor is neither a senator nor a Blue Ribbon Committee member. He added that the gathering appeared meant for destabilization and would likely malign the President and officials.
The committee chair noted that Senate rules require a formal three-day notice and agenda before any hearing. Tulfo said no secretariat members would attend the June 16 event and warned against misusing the Senate’s name.
Gatchalian confirmed that the upper chamber would focus only on investigations through the properly constituted committee. He urged witnesses to appear before the official Blue Ribbon panel instead.
