Fire hits Senate building

MANILA, Philippines — A fire broke out yesterday at the Senate building in Pasay, halting today’s budget deliberations and forcing the chamber to reschedule the plenary session for tomorrow.

The fire reportedly hit the third floor office of the Legislative Technical Affairs Bureau director.

Firefighters contained the blaze at 7:43 a.m., Senate President Vicente Sotto III said.

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire.

In a video released by the Office of the Senate Secretary, water can be seen dripping from the ceiling of the session hall, leaving senators’ desks, the rostrum and chamber floor soaked.

Sotto said the fire did not affect documents.

“Rest assured that all pertinent Senate documents, including those of the Blue Ribbon committee, remain intact, safe and unaffected by the fire,” he told reporters.

The Senate Secretariat and Senate proper offices will operate under skeleton staffing or alternative work arrangements today.

For tomorrow’s 1 p.m. session, office heads have been instructed to ensure the presence of personnel needed for plenary support, but other secretariat employees are excused from reporting.