Abbey M.

MANILA — Chaos erupted at the Senate on Thursday, June 4, 2026, as Senators Pia Cayetano and Robinhood Padilla escorted 18 individuals identifying themselves as former Marines into the premises, defying an order by Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian that no official hearings would be held and that resource persons would be barred from entering.

Tensions at the Senate turned physical when Sen. Padilla and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla shoved each other inside the Senate building. The altercation occurred while Padilla, along with Sen. Pia Cayetano, guided the 18 supposedly former Marines, who were invited as resource persons for the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on flood control anomalies. 

Padilla and Cayetano had to personally escort the group from the building entrance, as Acting Senate President Gatchalian had earlier declared there would be no official hearings on Thursday, which meant resource persons would not be allowed to enter the session hall under security policy. 

When asked whether he intended to block the senators and the 18 individuals, Remulla told reporters: "I was walking out when I was pushed aside. How can I do that? I was alone." 

Senator Imee Marcos questioned Remulla's presence at the Senate, saying: "Why is DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla here? Many are asking if the Senate is just an LGU?" 

The incident unfolded after Gatchalian said he had sought help from Remulla to ensure order and protection of the Senate premises. 

Senate Leadership Dispute

The dramatic power shift that triggered Thursday's standoff took place on the last session day of the Senate on Wednesday, June 3. Sen. Francis Escudero's decision to cross over to the erstwhile minority bloc gave it a new majority of 12 members, against 10 in the Cayetano camp. 

The new majority bloc moved to declare all Senate leadership positions vacant, with Gatchalian presiding over the session and subsequently being installed as Senate President Pro Tempore and Acting Senate Chief. Sen. Erwin Tulfo was also named as the new Blue Ribbon Committee chairperson, replacing Sen. Pia Cayetano. 

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who insists he remains the legitimate Senate President, alleged that the leadership reorganization was carried out specifically to stop the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing scheduled for June 4 and to prevent the 18 former Marines from testifying. 

The Flood Control Investigation

The 18 former enlisted personnel have alleged that they personally delivered approximately P805 billion in flood control kickbacks, reportedly concealed in suitcases, to fugitive former Ako Bicol representative Zaldy Co, former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, and several administration officials, including President Marcos and members of his family. 

Lawyer Levito Baligod, counsel of the 18 individuals, and his clients are currently facing perjury and cyber libel charges before the Department of Justice, as well as charges of unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances. 

The Rival Hearings

Despite Gatchalian's firm stance that no hearing would be held, Sen. Pia Cayetano proceeded to preside over a committee hearing, arguing that the session in which Gatchalian was installed was "invalid," noting that 13 senators were needed to constitute a quorum. 

Present at the Cayetano bloc's hearing were Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who insisted he remains Senate President; Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who heads the Blue Ribbon sub-committee; and Senators Imee Marcos and Padilla. Sen. Loren Legarda also appeared, maintaining that she remains as Senate Pro Tempore. Due to the absence of Blue Ribbon Committee staff, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano administered the oath of the resource persons. 

Meanwhile, newly-appointed Blue Ribbon Committee chair Erwin Tulfo announced the panel's inquiry into flood control anomalies would resume on June 8, saying the schedule was being moved to allow all members to prepare. 

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano questioned why Blue Ribbon Committee resource persons were barred from entering the Senate, noting that regular guests were allowed inside and that the Senate President controls the premises under the rules.

Umaasa si House Lead Prosecutor at Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro na hindi maaapektuhan ng sigalot sa Senado ang nakaambang impeachment trial laban kay VP Sara Duterte.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto convened officials from the Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and the Department of Labor and Employment to coordinate a large-scale cleanup and clearing of waterway obstructions across Metro Manila.

The initiative is part of measures to reduce flooding, particularly as the southwest monsoon season has already begun in the country.

The effort is aligned with a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to immediately mobilize agencies and implement flood mitigation and prevention measures ahead of the peak of the rainy season.

Among the key measures is the deployment of thousands of workers under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced, or TUPAD, program to assist in the clearing of drainage systems, esteros, rivers, and other critical waterways.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro read a statement from DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, saying all agencies will work together for Oplan Kontra Baha.

"Tuluy-tuloy po ang paghahanda ng gobyerno para sa pagpasok ng tag-ulan. Hindi po pinapangako na hindi na babaha pero ang assurance ay nagtutulung-tulong ang mga concerned agencies to ensure na mas mabilis humupa ang tubig baha at siguruhing hindi ito natetengga nang matagal katulad ng dati. Iyan po ang isinasagawa sa utos ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. kaugnay na rin sa Oplan Kontra Baha." 

[The government's preparations for the rainy season are ongoing. There is no promise that flooding will no longer occur, but the assurance is that concerned agencies are working together to ensure floodwaters recede faster and do not remain stagnant for long as before. That is what is being carried out under the orders of President Marcos Jr., in connection with Oplan Kontra Baha.]

Castro added that the agency's ongoing activities and project implementation will continue to ensure clear waterways and reduced flooding.

"Tuluy-tuloy din ang dredging activities, hindi rin tumitigil ang DPWH since November 2025 na mag-clearing at declogging ng mga waterways; mabilis ding nagdi-deploy ang DPWH ng mga maintenance crew sa mga lugar na binabaha nitong mga nakaraang araw. So, mga natetenggang proyekto naman ay tuluy-tuloy pa rin po at priority ito na tapusin ng DPWH." 

[Dredging activities are also ongoing, and the DPWH has not stopped clearing and declogging waterways since November 2025. The DPWH has also been quickly deploying maintenance crews to areas that have experienced flooding in recent days. As for stalled projects, these are still ongoing and it is a priority for DPWH to complete them.]

Malacañang has expressed concern that the ongoing power struggle in the Senate, particularly the majority bloc's absence from plenary sessions, could jeopardize the passage of the Marcos administration's priority bills.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Palace is willing to work with whoever leads the Senate, as long as the administration's legislative priorities are passed. However, she warned that the current situation in the chamber could make that difficult.

"Sa ngayon alam naman natin kung ano iyong mga priority bills, hindi lang dalawa hindi lang isa, hindi lang tatlo, marami po. Pero kung ganito po ang nangyayari sa senado, mahihirapan po talaga, hindi lamang ang Pangulo, kung hindi ang taumbayan." 

[We already know what the priority bills are — not just one, not just two, not just three, there are many. But if this is what is happening in the Senate, it will truly be difficult, not just for the President, but for the Filipino people.]

Castro said the majority bloc should not have abandoned their duties, noting that while accompanying Senator Jinggoy Estrada as a friend was understandable, it did not warrant setting aside their mandate.

"Hindi naman po kinakailangan na hindi magtrabaho kahapon, dahil maski na po ang paghatid at pagsama kay Senator Jinggoy Estrada, bilang kaibigan ay nararapat lamang, pero hindi po kinakailangan talikuran ang sariling mandato para lang sa ganitong klaseng isyu." 

[It was not necessary to skip work yesterday. While accompanying Senator Jinggoy Estrada as a friend was appropriate, it was not necessary to abandon one's own mandate for this kind of issue.]

The majority bloc failed to attend the plenary session on Tuesday following Estrada's arrest. The minority bloc characterized the absence as a boycott.

The Palace also firmly denied that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had interfered in the Senate's affairs, insisting there was nothing wrong with the service of the arrest warrant against Estrada.

"Saan ba nakialam ang Pangulo? Tama lamang po na i-serve ang valid warrant of arrest. Ang ibig po ba niyang sabihin, kapag nagsisilbi po ng valid warrant of arrest sa senado sa mga ganitong klaseng crimes, ay dapat hindi isilbi? So, iyon ang tanong. So papaano magkakaroon ng pagtutulungan, kooperasyon ang bawat sangay ng gobyerno kung mayroong magmamataas, mayroong hindi tutupad sa batas at mayroong maghahari-harian." 

[Where did the President interfere? It was only proper to serve a valid warrant of arrest. Does that mean that when a valid warrant of arrest is served in the Senate for these kinds of crimes, it should not be served? So that is the question. How can there be cooperation among the branches of government if someone acts superior, someone refuses to follow the law, and someone acts with impunity?]

Malacañang also backed the statement of Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who said Estrada's surrender was not voluntary.

"So matatawag po itong pag-aresto dahil hindi po boluntaryong pumunta si Senator Jinggoy Estrada mismo sa mga law enforcers, hindi pumunta sa CIDG, sa PNP o sa korte sa Sandiganbayan. So, tama po ang pananaw ni Secretary Jonvic na hindi po ito voluntary surrender, kung hindi pag-aresto." 

[This can be called an arrest because Senator Jinggoy Estrada did not voluntarily go to law enforcers, did not go to the CIDG, the PNP, or the Sandiganbayan court. So Secretary Jonvic's view is correct — this was not a voluntary surrender, but an arrest.]

The Senate majority and minority blocs are now composed of 11 members each following the voluntary surrender of Senator Jinggoy Estrada to authorities and the continued absence of Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, who remains at large in connection with a warrant of arrest issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The Senate majority bloc retains Senate President Allan Peter Cayetano, Senator Loren Legarda, Senator Pia Cayetano, Senator Rodante Marcoleta, Senator Imee Marcos, Senator Joel Villanueva, Senator Chiz Escudero, Senators Mark and Camille Villar, Senator Robin Padilla, and Senator Bong Go.

The minority bloc is composed of Senator Tito Sotto III, Senator Panfilo Lacson, Senator Risa Hontiveros, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, Senator Bam Aquino, Senators Erwin and Raffy Tulfo, Senator Lito Lapid, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Senator JV Ejercito.

With both blocs at equal numbers, concerns have been raised over a possible legislative gridlock that could prevent the Senate from conducting official business.

Some members of the Senate majority have previously pushed for a measure that would allow senators to vote through teleconferencing as a potential remedy to the impasse.