Acting Senate President Win Gatchalian authorized a work-from-home arrangement for Senate personnel on June 10 and 11 after the National Bureau of Investigation flagged a potential security threat to the Senate building.
Gatchalian ordered an immediate review of security protocols following an intelligence briefing with NBI Director Melvin Matibag during Monday’s Blue Ribbon consultative meeting. Senator Vicente Sotto III described the threat as a “clear and present danger.” Senator Panfilo Lacson said an intelligence report indicated that 18 former bagmen of expelled lawmaker Zaldy Co were to be used in a plot to infiltrate the Senate premises. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano raised doubts about the information because it came from the NBI rather than the Senate’s Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms. Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the alleged threat is being validated and has been referred to the proper authorities.
