The Senate will maintain heightened security measures following recommendations from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), amid reported threats linked to what authorities described as evolving security risks inside and around the upper chamber.
Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian said the decision followed a meeting with security officials on Monday, where agencies advised the continuation of stricter protocols to safeguard lawmakers, employees, and visitors.
“Bottom line is they recommended for us to continue to be proactive and continue to implement yung heightened security measures,” Gatchalian said in an interview at the Senate on Tuesday, noting that he could not disclose operational details due to security considerations.
An advisory issued within the Senate cited “heightened political tensions,” ongoing impeachment proceedings, planned mass actions, and the risk of disruptions to legislative operations as factors behind the continued security posture.
Authorities said security inspections and monitoring activities inside Senate premises will continue as part of a comprehensive Security Survey and Inspection (SSI), following intelligence inputs from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), and other security bodies.
The inspections, according to officials, are intended to validate earlier assessments pointing to an “evolving security concern” that may affect Senate operations.
The heightened measures, however, drew criticism from some members of the minority bloc. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, in a social media livestream, questioned whether the Senate had effectively been placed under lockdown, raising concerns about institutional openness.
Senator Robin Padilla also cautioned against overly restrictive measures, stressing that the Senate remains an institution of the people and should not be treated like a military installation.
“Ang Senado ay para sa taumbayan,” Padilla said in a post, urging that security protocols be balanced with accessibility.
Senator Panfilo Lacson, meanwhile, defended the inspections, rejecting claims that the situation resembled martial law. He said the SSI covered all offices, including those of majority and minority senators, Senate leadership, and staff areas, as part of standard safety procedures.
Lacson cited past security incidents as justification for stricter measures and said the inspections aim to prevent the introduction of prohibited items such as firearms or explosives into Senate premises.
“Those with clean conscience should welcome this,” he said, adding that no office was exempt from the security sweep.
Gatchalian said Senate Sergeant-at-Arms personnel have been directed to maintain close coordination with intelligence and law enforcement agencies to monitor threats and adjust security measures as needed.
He added that the current protocols will remain in place while authorities continue assessing the situation.
“Tuloy-tuloy yung ating coordination until malaman na wala na itong threat,” he said, adding that the priority is ensuring the safety of senators, employees, and media workers covering the chamber.
Security officials reportedly linked the threat assessment to broader concerns over potential destabilization efforts, although Gatchalian declined to provide further details, citing operational sensitivity.
The Senate leadership said the heightened measures will remain under review as developments unfold.