MANILA, Philippines — Participants in the disputed June 4 Senate blue-ribbon hearing in Manila may face criminal charges, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) chief Melvin Matibag warned on June 5.
The warning raised fresh questions about the hearing’s legitimacy and whether its participants were protected by parliamentary immunity.
Matibag issued the warning during a June 5 roundtable discussion with Inquirer editors and reporters in Manila, where he raised concerns over the legality of the contested Senate proceeding.
Matibag said participants in the June 4 blue-ribbon hearing may be exposed to libel or slander cases due to statements made during the session.
“Everything that they said there… they can be held liable for libel or slander,” Matibag said, referring to allegations and accusations made during the disputed hearing.
He further noted that the senators who conducted the hearing could also face charges for usurpation of authority and violations of Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
Matibag also said that possible graft charges may be filed if the assembly is proven to have been conducted without proper authorization and outside official Senate procedures.
On June 3, the Senate reached quorum after Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s attendance allowed the chamber to proceed with its order of business following days of incomplete attendance.
The minority bloc later declared vacancies in key Senate positions, including leadership roles in the blue-ribbon committee held by Senators Pia Cayetano and Rodante Marcoleta.
Despite disputes over authority, the Cayetano-aligned bloc proceeded with the June 4 hearing, which was later postponed indefinitely after inconsistencies emerged in witness testimonies.
Witnesses, described as alleged former Marines, claimed links to resigned lawmaker and fugitive Zaldy Co, but their statements were later questioned for credibility and consistency.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) clarified that most of the witnesses were no longer connected to the military, with several reportedly dishonorably discharged and others never having served in the Marines.
Former Senate President Franklin Drilon and former Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers criticized the proceeding as unauthorized, with Barbers calling it an illegal assembly that raises serious questions on institutional accountability and public trust
Written by Vjay Aguilar
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