Manila: Sen. Erwin Tulfo on Wednesday stated that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on alleged flood control anomalies would be rescheduled to June 8 to allow members to review the list of invited resource persons. This announcement came despite Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano's insistence that the Thursday hearing would proceed as planned.

According to Philippines News Agency, Tulfo, who was elected chairperson of the committee on accountability of public officers and investigations, known as the Blue Ribbon committee, during Wednesday's session, criticized the previous invitations for failing to follow the proper process. He emphasized that the list of invited individuals should have been reviewed by committee members first, allowing them to suggest any additions or removals.

Tulfo announced plans to include all senators as members of the Blue Ribbon committee to ensure broader participation. He also mentioned that the list of previously invited resource persons, including former military personnel, would undergo further review.

Cayetano, however, contested the legality of Wednesday's session and asserted in a Facebook livestream that he remains the legitimate Senate President. He affirmed that the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing would continue as scheduled, declaring, "I am still the legitimate, legal, moral Senate President of the Republic of the Philippines."

The disagreement over the hearing schedule followed the Senate's adjournment sine die, during which Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian was elected Senate President Pro Tempore and acting Senate President after a two-day standoff over quorum. Tulfo argued that the 12-member quorum was valid, citing the Senate's operation with 22 senators. In contrast, Cayetano contended that 13 senators were necessary to conduct business.

The Blue Ribbon inquiry into flood control projects has become a focal point in the ongoing Senate leadership dispute, with both factions issuing notices of public hearings.