Senate President Pro Tempore Win Gatchalian on Sunday said the chamber will return to work tomorrow under “heightened” security measures.
The acting Senate president said that visitors are still not allowed at the Senate.
“That’s in accordance to the heightened security measures memo [dated June 9],” Gatchalian said in a text message.
Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. said “on site work resumes tomorrow but still no visitors allowed.” Under the memo, the Senate secretary “shall likewise activate such continuity-of-operations measures as may be necessary to ensure the uninterrupted conduct of the business of the Senate.” To ensure the safety and security of the senators, officials, and employees, the Office of Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) should “faithfully observe and uniformly implement a temporary no visitor policy due to heightened security threat.” The OSAA should implement increased deployment of security personnel and establishment of additional security posts; intensify perimeter security and surveillance operations; continue threat monitoring and vulnerability assessment; and coordinate with appropriate law enforcement, intelligence, military, and emergency-response agencies.
The Senate secretary should ensure the protection and preservation of Senate records, legislative documents, information systems, and communications infrastructure, and the continuous delivery of administrative and financial operations.
