House of Representatives (MANILA BULLETIN)

The House of Representatives "doubled" its security on Monday, Nov. 25, the day of the tension- filled hearing of the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability on the alleged misuse of P612.5 million worth of confidential funds under offices held by the Vice President Sara Duterte.

House Secretary General Reginald Velasco confirmed this boost in security during a chance interview just before the start of Monday's hearing.

Asked whether or not security has been tightened up, Velasco answered in the affirmative. 

"Yes, yes. Nag-double security kami, tapos meron din kaming information na darating dito si VP (Yes, yes. We doubled the security, and we also have information that the VP will come.)

When asked if the doubling of security covered the perimeter of Batasan complex, Velasco replied, "Both. In and out." He didn't provide any figures. 

But the House official clarified that there was no "lockdown"; after all, Monday was a session day and people had been freely going into and out of the premises.

"Wala naman kayong nakitang red-alert dito.  Wala, wala, may session lang, may session tayo today eh (There's no red alert status here. There's none, and we have asserted session day)," he said.

MUST READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2024/11/25/ranking-solons-say-romualdez-didn-t-order-confidential-funds-probe

Monday was the first session day after Vice President Duterte camped out for two days at Batasan complex in defiance of House rules. 

During that time. Duterte claimed to have tapped an assassin to kill President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the event that she herself gets slain.

Velasco said that Romualdez didn't increase the number of his close-in security detail.

Monday was the seventh hearing of the good government panel on the confidential funds controversy. Other than Monday's proceedings, Duterte only attended the first hearing of committee.