Senate under tight security amid 'very serious threat'

The Manila Times

Senate under tight security amid 'very serious threat'

(UPDATE) MANILA, Philippines — The Senate Office of Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) on Wednesday implemented strict security measures amid the reported "very serious threat" against the chamber. The OSAA refused to let in Senate employees who were not on its list of personnel needed to work inside the building. Vehicles, whose passengers, are not Senate employees, were turned away. However, the Senate security allowed employees of Landbank, who has a branch on the 4th floor, to get in. The OSAA observed stricter measures amid conflicting directives from "rival" Senate blocs. Senate President Pro Tempore Win Gatchalian, also acting Senate chief, on Tuesday issued an advisory directing all Senate personnel to "work from home" until Thursday amid the security threat. But, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who insisted he was still Senate president, in another advisory reminded employees to work in the Senate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) were present outside the premises of the Senate building. Meanwhile, Senate employees should follow the majority bloc led by Gatchalian as it has been duly recognized by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and other relevant institutions, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said. Gatchalian, who was elected by the new majority as Senate President Pro Tempore and acting Senate chief, said that he and the CSC have been coordinating "to ensure a smooth transition" of authority. Lacson said this CSC recognition enjoyed by the majority showed that the "orders" from the minority led by Cayetano were "meant to sow confusion." The new 12-member majority bloc was formed after Sen. Francis Escudero abandoned Cayetano's group on June 3 that led to the Senate leadership reorganization. Cayetano, however, insisted that the action of Gatchalian's group was illegal. "Maliwanag naman sa atin kung sinong kinikilala ng Malacanang, ng House of Representatives, ng Civil Service Commission, ng IBP, at kung ano-ano pa ang mga grupo, kung sinong kinikilala talaga na liderato sa Senate (It is clear whose leadership Malacanang, the House of Representatives, the Civil Service Commission and Integrated Bar of the Philippines and other groups recognize)," Lacson said in a radio interview. "So maliwanag na panggulo yung ginagawa ni Senator Alan, no, with all due respect, na nakaka-confuse, nakakagulo (It is clear that what Cayetano is doing, will all due respect, is meant to sow confusion)," Lacson said late Tuesday. He also said that Gatchalian already met with department heads and committee secretaries, and reminded them to follow only lawful and official orders, with assurances that the Senate leadership would protect them. WITH A REPORT FROM MIKE ALQUINTO

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