Senate Blue Ribbon hearing continues amid leadership dispute

A faction of senators led by Alan Peter Cayetano proceeded with a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on an alleged flood control scandal on Thursday, defying a rival group's declaration that all official business was suspended. The hearing took place amid an unresolved dispute over the chamber's leadership and committee assignments.

Senator Pia Cayetano, who presided over the hearing, opened the session by declaring a session held the previous day by 12 other senators to be invalid. She argued that Senate rules require a majority of all 24 members, or 13 votes, to conduct business and elect officers. During that Wednesday session, the group had elected Sherwin Gatchalian as acting Senate president and replaced her as Blue Ribbon Committee chair with Senator Erwin Tulfo.

Pia Cayetano stated that no valid reorganization had occurred and that she therefore remained the committee's chairperson. She defended her decision to create a subcommittee, chaired by Senator Rodante Marcoleta, to conduct Thursday's inquiry. Alan Peter Cayetano similarly asserted that he remains the legitimate Senate president, as incumbent officers hold their positions until valid successors are elected by...