Gatchalian mulls legal action vs Defensor for blue ribbon announcement

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian said on Tuesday he is considering legal action against former congressman Mike Defensor for announcing a supposed Senate committee hearing despite having no authority.

Defensor previously announced that the Cayetano bloc will hold its own flood control probe outside the Senate premises; however, no confirmation was made by senators from the bloc.

“He is not the chairman, he is not a member, he is not a senator. Why would he deceive the people? I am talking to Senator Erwin [Tulfo] and we are also studying legal action because he is deceiving the people,” Gatchalian told the media.

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READ: Cayetano-wing flood control hearing ‘will no longer proceed’ — venue

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Tulfo was elected as the head of the Senate blue ribbon panel in place of Sen. Pia Cayetano.

Gatchalian also noted the possible implication of Defensor’s unauthorized announcement.

“Definitely, he’s inciting confusion… Because if they deceive the people, they think it’s official,” he said.

According to Defensor’s announcement, the alleged hearing was supposed to begin on Tuesday, 10 a.m. at the Doublegem EDSA Events Place; however, no such event has begun.

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The management of the venue, in a now-deleted post, said the scheduled gathering “will no longer proceed.”

As of writing, the supposed hearing has yet to begin. /das

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