The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Senator Pia Cayetano, continued its hearing today, June 4, 2026, on the ghost flood control projects where the primary resource persons are the 18 former Marines, allegedly acting as "bag men."
This is despite the announcement of the so-called "new majority", led by the newly-elected Senate Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian, that the resumption of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings would take place on Monday, June 8, 2026, and would then be chaired by Senator Erwin Tulfo.
Tensions arose upon the arrival of the 18 ex-Marines at the Senate, as they were allegedly barred by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
Senators Cayetano and Robin Padilla accompanied the Marines to gain entry into the session hall.
The ex-Marines disclosed that they had delivered suitcases of money to Senator Tito Sotto, Senator Erwin Tulfo, Congresswoman France Castro, Congresswoman Leila de Lima, and others in connection with the fraudulent flood control projects.
They also reiterated the name of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, to whom they had delivered money. The money was reportedly received by his housekeeper in McKinley, Taguig, and another residence by an unknown staff member.
Prior to this, Gatchalian released a statement declaring a work-from-home arrangement for all Senate offices on June 4.
However, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano also issued a statement saying that the hearing of the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations, or Blue Ribbon, and all Senate officers and staff assigned to support the committee's activities must fulfill their duties.
