Senator Raffy Tulfo has dismissed the Senate hearing conducted by the bloc of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday, characterizing it as a “bogus” proceeding that lacked formal authority following recent leadership shifts in the upper chamber.
During a television interview, Tulfo minimized the weight of the proceedings, suggesting it was more of an informal gathering than an official legislative function.
“Press conference na lang siguro para hindi naman sila magsama ng loob,” Tulfo said.
He noted that while he wanted to maintain legislative decorum, the lack of legitimacy surrounding the event remained clear.
“Baka sabihing unparliamentary naman itong ginagawa ko calling them bogus when in fact they are still senators,” he added.
The friction arose after Senator Pia Cayetano proceeded with a Blue Ribbon Committee hearing despite a Senate reorganization on Wednesday. That shakeup saw Senator Erwin Tulfo—Raffy Tulfo’s younger brother—appointed as the committee’s new chairman, while Senator Win Gatchalian assumed the role of Acting Senate President.
Tensions escalated earlier that day when Gatchalian’s Senate leadership reportedly tried to block resource persons from entering the hearing room. In response, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano warned that blocking the witnesses could constitute a criminal offense.
However, the older Tulfo brother maintained that the hearing was entirely unauthorized, emphasizing that the new majority bloc had officially declared all committee chairs vacant before electing new heads.
“Wala na nga sa position si Pia, maging si Alan, kasi nung Wednesday we declared all positions vacant at nag-elect na kami ng mga bagong chairman sa different committee,” he explained.
Tulfo further argued that the proceeding lacked validity, pointing out that neither the executive branch nor the House of Representatives acknowledged it.
“In fact, nung mag-press conference sila kanina, may mga resource persons sila na hindi pumunta dahil hindi sila ni-recognized,” he noted.
The lawmaker stressed that the legitimate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation under the reconstituted majority will officially kick off on Monday.
He stated that this upcoming probe will serve as the proper venue to rigorously cross-examine witnesses and verify their claims.
“Malalaman natin, this time, kami na magtatanong, lalabas ang katotohanan kung sila ba ay nagsisinungaling during that press conference kanina o sila’y nagsasabi ng totoo,” Tulfo concluded.