Senator Gatchalian: Senate operations uninterrupted despite heightened security measures

Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian said the Senate’s operations continue without disruption despite heightened security measures triggered by reported threats.

Gatchalian said legislative work, administrative functions, and preparations for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte are proceeding as scheduled.

In a press briefing that the Senate is not in lockdown but is operating under an elevated security status.

Gatchalian said the chamber is treating the reported threats seriously and has instructed the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms to work closely with the National Bureau of Investigation and other intelligence agencies to verify the information.

He stressed that the safety of senators, Senate employees, and members of the media remains the institution’s primary concern as validation efforts continue.

"We have to take it seriously because my top priority is the safety of the employees, members of the media, and the senators, so we have to take precautionary measures to ensure their safety and security," said Gatchalian in mixed English and Filipino.

When asked if specific individuals had been identified in relation to the alleged threats, Gatchalian said the NBI had mentioned certain personalities but declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation.

"The NBI mentioned some personalities, but I will not disclose them yet because we're still investigating and validating the information. We're also cross-referencing it with other intelligence agencies," he said.

Earlier, the Acting Senate Chief issued a memorandum placing Senate personnel under a work-from-home arrangement from June 10 to 11 as a preventive measure. Office heads were directed to ensure continuity of operations through remote work setups, while also retaining flexibility to require on-site reporting for essential functions such as security, maintenance, and critical operations.

As an additional precaution, Gatchalian also appealed to senators to adopt work-from-home arrangements while security assessments are ongoing. He emphasized, however, that despite these measures, Senate operations remain fully functional and uninterrupted.

Meanwhile, he has also signed the signed and authorized the release of salaries and benefits for all Senate employees, ensuring that the almost 2,100-strong Senate workforce receives their compensation without delay.

The move is a direct exercise of Gatchalian’s authority as the duly constituted Acting Senate President, an authority now formally recognized by financial institutions, which have accepted Gatchalian as the authorized signatory for Senate financial transactions. Earlier today, he signed the payroll checks with the Land Bank of the Philippines for the release of salaries and benefits of Senate employees.

Gatchalian explained that regardless of the current political noise, the machinery of the Senate, including its financial obligations to its employees, continues to function under his direction.

-Paraluman News

“Ang mga kawani ng Senado ay araw-araw na nagsisilbi para sa bayan, at responsibilidad ko bilang namumuno sa Senado na tiyaking natatanggap nila ang kanilang sweldo at benepisyo sa tamang oras,” Gatchalian said.

The Acting Senate President emphasized that Senate employees deserve the full and timely receipt of their compensation without interruption.

"Ang mahalaga ay patuloy na maayos ang operasyon ng Senado at nagagampanan nito ang mga tungkulin nito para sa taumbayan,” Gatchalian said.