Venue cancels Cayetano bloc’s off-site 'blue ribbon' hearing

MANILA, Philippines — The commercial venue selected for the Cayetano bloc's disputed off-site "blue ribbon committee" hearing canceled the event on Tuesday, June 16, preventing the proceeding from proceeding.

In a statement, Doublegem EDSA Garden Events Place in Mandaluyong City said the scheduled Senate meeting would not proceed.

"We would also like to reiterate that Doublegem EDSA Garden Events Place has no affiliation whatsoever with the organizers, participants, or subject matter of the event. Our role was solely that of an independent events venue provider," the venue said.

The post was later deleted.

According to multiple reports, former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson and Sens. Imee Marcos and Pia Cayetano arrived at the venue. Marcos, however, said she was not allowed to enter the events place.

Supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, meanwhile gathered outside the venue in support of the hearing, chanting, "Duterte! Duterte!." Members of the Cayetano bloc are allied with the Davao-hailing family. 

Cops were then deployed to the area to control the crowd pouring into EDSA, a major thoroughfare.

Eighteen former soldiers claiming to be bagmen of former lawmaker—now a fugitive—Zaldy Co were expected to continue their accounts on alleged embezzlement of public flood control funds at the meeting.

As of writing, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano has yet to issue a statement on the disruptions.

Disputed hearing

The off-site hearing led by senators from the Cayetano-led minority was first announced by former lawmaker Mike Defensor in a social media post.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo, who leads the Blue Ribbon Committee appointed by the majority-recognized Gatchalian bloc, disowned the proceeding and said it was unauthorized.

This was not the first time the Cayetano bloc held what the Gatchalian bloc described as an unauthorized inquiry.

On June 4, Cayetano-bloc senators forced their way into a Senate hall to hold a supposed hearing with the former soldiers. It was presided by Cayetano himself, his sister Sen. Pia Cayetano and Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.

It was conducted without a Senate secretary present and without stenographers to record the proceedings, indicating that it was not sanctioned by the institution. — with John Marwin Elao and reports from One PH