PASAY CITY—A fire broke out at the Senate building early Sunday morning, November 30, igniting on the third floor in the office of the Legislative Technical Affairs Bureau. Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III confirmed that the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) received the report at 6:30 AM and immediately dispatched firefighting teams. 

The incident was declared under control just over an hour later, at 7:43 AM. Authorities are now focused on determining the fire's cause and accurately assessing the full scope of the resulting damage to the structural integrity and contents of the affected area.

Senate President Sotto assured the public that all vital documents remain untouched and secure. "Rest assured that all pertinent Senate documents—including those of the Blue Ribbon Committee—remain intact, safe, and completely unaffected by the fire," Sotto stated. 

While the fire itself was localized, Senate President reported that the water used by the BFP in their suppression efforts led to significant leakage into the Session Hall directly below the affected third-floor office.

Senator Sotto ensured that the Senate’s maintenance team has initiated round-the-clock restoration work to dry and repair the Session Hall. The primary objective is to ensure the chamber is fully functional and ready to host the scheduled Monday session without delay. 

The Senate is also collaborating closely with the BFP and internal security personnel to guarantee the continued safety of the premises and to implement measures that will prevent any recurrence of similar incidents.

Despite the current disruption to the Session Hall, the Senate affirms its commitment to its legislative duties, backed by the safety of its essential records. Full details on the fire's origin and the cost of the damage are expected to be released as the investigation concludes.

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