MANILA, Philippines – Pinayagan ni Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian nitong Miyerkules ng gabi, Hunyo 3, ang mga opisina ng Senado na mag-work-from-home setup ngayong Huwebes, Hunyo 4.
Ang work-from-home setup na ito ay natapat sa pagdinig ng Blue Ribbon Committee sa flood-control scandal na inanunsyo ni Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.
Sa memorandum na inisyu ilang oras matapos mailuklok si Gatchalian bilang Senate Pro Tempore, ang work-from-home setup ay magbibigay daan “to the organization of committees under the new chairpersons.” It said no official business had been scheduled for that date.
“In light of these developments and to preserve the neutrality of the Senate bureaucracy, all Senate Secretariat and Senate Proper offices are hereby authorized to work from home (WFH) on the said date,” saad pa sa memorandum.
Samantala, sinabi ni Cayetano na siya pa rin ang “legitimate, legal, and moral Senate President,” at sinabing ang pagdinig ng Blue Ribbon committee ay magpapatuloy pa rin sa itinakdang iskedyul ngayong araw.
Ang Blue Ribbon Committee, sa ilalim ng kanyang liderato, ay inuupuan ng kapatid na si Senador Pia Cayetano.
“But tomorrow, tuloy ang hearing ng Blue Ribbon Committee. I am still the legitimate, legal, and moral Senate President of the Republic of the Philippines, and there are still functioning committees. We have to hear the testimonies. Invited po pati yung mga gumawa ng ilegal ngayon,” sinabi ni Cayetano.
Ayon naman kay Senador Erwin Tulfo, na nahalal bilang chairman ng Blue Ribbon Committee nitong Miyerkules, ang pagdinig ay itutuloy sa Lunes, Hunyo 8.
Sa memorandum, sinabi ni Gatchalian na ang mga pangyayari sa kapulungan “have affected not only the ability of the Senate to fulfill its mandate but more so, the morale of its employees who have quietly been holding the line, doing their sworn duty despite the untenable political climate which they had nothing to do with.”
“No officer or employee shall be deemed insubordinate, absent without leave, or otherwise administratively responsible for opting to avail of the arrangement,” saad pa.
“The Senate leadership remains committed to protecting their welfare, preserving their professional integrity, and ensuring that no employee acting in good faith shall be subjected to intimidation, retaliation, or unwarranted administrative action.” RNT/JGC
