Gatchalian calls Cayetano-led Senate hearing ‘bogus' — ANC

[0:00] The self-confessed bagman of fugitive ex-Philippine Congressman Zaldico testified before a Senate inquiry on the flood control scandal. [0:09] The inquiry was led by the block of Senator Alan Cayetano, but this was dismissed by the block of Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gachalian as bogus. [0:19] R.G. Cruz has tonight's top story. [0:21] The Philippine Senate is stuck on leadership stalemate with rival blocks led by Sen. Sherwin Gachalian and Alan Cayetano insisting they are the Senate majority. [0:31] Even before Sen. Sherwin Gachalian was sworn in as Senate President Pro Tempore and Designated Acting President, [0:38] his group received a letter from the last Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano announcing the senior year adjournment of the upper chamber. [0:44] This was followed by a notice from Cayetano that the June 4 hearing of the Blue Ribbon Committee will push through. [0:49] Another letter was issued by Cayetano insisting he is still Senate President. [0:54] Gachalian issued a memo Wednesday evening allowing employees to work from home and that no employee will be penalized if they avail of this. [1:00] Gachalian faced the media Thursday morning to assert his authority and legitimacy. [1:05] He was accompanied by Interior Secretary John Vic Rimulia when he was asked to be present to ensure order. [1:10] He also issued an advisory allowing Senate employees to get off early. [1:13] Gachalian maintains there is no scheduled Blue Ribbon hearing. [1:16] Since the elected chairman, Senator Erwin Tufo moved the inquiry to Monday next week. [1:20] But he did not stop senators from coming in to hold a meeting. [1:23] Dito building ng Senate President, ng Senate President Potempo, office to ng mga senador. [1:29] So, karapat-dapat lang sila pumasok dito. [1:34] Meron tayong protocols for visitors and guests. [1:39] So, sundan lang yung protocols. [1:40] But for the Cayetano block, they remain in control of the upper chamber. [1:43] And they still occupy their leadership posts. [1:46] Kahit grade 1, marunong magbilang. [1:48] Kailangan ng 13. [1:49] So, hindi. Wala ho silang authority gawin yung mga ginawa nila. [1:55] The 1987 Philippine Constitution states, Article 6, Section 2. [1:59] The Senate shall be composed of 24 senators. [2:02] May narinig ho kayong 22? [2:04] Wala. 24. [2:05] Hindi nga AI, hindi nag-resign. [2:07] At simple lang po, kung merong 13 na boto na makakapagbigay at iba po ang iba boto, [2:18] I would be more than willing to yield my position. [2:21] Been there, done that. [2:22] The hearing, led by Sen. Rodante Marcolera, pushed through. [2:25] As Cayetano warned, those interfering with them will be penalized under the law. [2:29] The so-called former Marines, who claim to have been employed by former lawmaker Zali Koh, [2:34] testified on alleged massive payoffs to top government officials, [2:37] including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. [2:41] For the record, Sir President, alos lahat po ay personal na nakakaalam na silang lahat [2:50] ay nag-deliver ng mali-malitang pera sa bahay o sa mga lugar na pag-aari [2:57] ni former Speaker Martin Romualdez. [3:00] Para kanino naman yung dinalan ninyo? [3:03] Ang narinig ko po nun, Sir, ay para kay President Marcos Jr. [3:08] Yung time na dumating po kami, Your Honor, is sila-sila lang po. [3:12] Nauna po si Kong Sandro, din na next po si President, din si First Lady po yung dumating. [3:18] The palace denies the allegations and pointed out no evidence was even presented. [3:22] Anong ebidensya? Pakita mo na nila ebidensya. [3:25] Madali kasi magturo. [3:27] Lala na kung ang balak mo lang naman talaga ay manggiba. [3:30] At magsilbing isang obstructionist or destabilizer. [3:34] The resource persons also tagged Sen. Vicente Soto III, Erwin Tulfo, [3:38] and former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV in the alleged payoffs. [3:41] Nakalagay dito, nag-deliver kay Sen. Tito Soto. [3:46] Pwede nyo bang i-verify? [3:48] Totoo po ito at ay kwento nyo yung circumstance. [3:51] Advanced team kami, Your Honor. [3:53] Nauna kami sa area. [3:54] Kasi inadvise na kami ng team leader namin na mag-proceed na sa building ni Tito Soto sa Baklaran. [4:01] Nakapag-deliver po ako doon kay Sen. Erwin Tulfo ng dalawang bisis. [4:07] Yung una po, dalawang malita, tapos yung pangalawa po, anin. [4:10] They also accused former incumbent lawmakers and even the media of receiving cash. [4:15] Nagulat lang ako sa mga pangalan na to. [4:17] Letter J. Franz Castro, nasa progressive block to. [4:21] At nandito siya noong martes. [4:22] Tapos Leila de Lima. [4:25] Tapos may nakalagay dito sa Polo Club na bigay. [4:28] Nung sinasabi nyo rito na may mga malita ding na ibigay sa mga miyembro ng media. [4:35] Wala kayong binanggit dito pero inaasahan ko na ididetalya ninyo kung sino-sino ang nabigyan. [4:41] The Gachalian bloc considers the hearing bogus and an unauthorized proceeding. [4:46] Meanwhile, the Duterte-led political party, Partido Democratico Pilipino, [4:49] says it will file a petition before the Supreme Court to question the constitutionality [4:53] of the Gachalian bloc's move to assume leadership. [4:56] The PDP argues 13 is the required number of votes for change in leadership in the upper chamber and not 12. [5:02] RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News.