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.