Quezon city: The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee disowned on Monday a supposed June 16 hearing announced online by former congressman and Cabinet official Mike Defensor, stating that it was neither scheduled nor authorized by the panel.

According to Philippines News Agency, the disavowal was issued through an official statement signed by Blue Ribbon chairperson Senator Erwin Tulfo. The committee emphasized the importance of disregarding the unauthorized announcement and urged the public and stakeholders to rely solely on official advisories from the panel or the Senate.

The committee clarified, "The public and all concerned stakeholders are hereby advised that no hearing of the Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon Committee) has been scheduled for June 16, 2026." This statement was in response to Defensor's online call, which urged public attendance at a purported Blue Ribbon Committee hearing at an events place in Quezon City, where he also mentioned several senators and personalities linked to the proposed event.

Highlighting the procedural breach, the committee noted that the announcement was made "without the authority and approval" of the panel, and it "categorically rejects the misinformation being circulated online." The Senate rules stipulate a formal three-day notice and agenda distribution before any committee hearing can proceed.

The Blue Ribbon Committee further clarified that Defensor is neither a senator nor a member of the committee, and consequently, he holds no legal standing to announce any proceedings on behalf of the Senate. The committee asserted, "The Blue Ribbon Committee will not permit its name and institutional integrity to be misrepresented or utilized for unauthorized disclosures."