Binay allies 'gatecrash' Senate probe, sent out of session hall

MANILA, Philippines - Two allies of Vice President Jejomar Binay were sent out of the session hall after gatecrashing the 10th hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon-Subcommittee on the Makati City Hall II parking building on Thursday.

The hearing just got started when Senate Majority Leader Alan Cayetano questioned the presence of lawyer JV Bautista, the secretary-general of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) who first revealed the alleged "Oplan Stop Nognog 2016."

Cayetano told Bautista that he was not an invited resource person.

"We do not allow gatecrashing in this hearing, sir, and you are not allowed to speak," Cayetano said.

Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco then tried to speak but he was also admonished by Cayetano.

"They cannot gatecrash. You cannot just raise your hands here and come when you are not a resource person," Cayetano said.

This prompted Senate Blue Ribbon-Subcommittee chair Aquilino Pimintel III to call for a recess.

The two Binay allies were eventually escorted out of the session hall after huddling with the senators.

Cayetano said the two Binay allies had no letter from Binay authorizing them to speak on his behalf.

The senator said Tiangco and Bautista's actions can be considered as criminal offense.