What Is a Senate Hearing in the Philippines? A Step-by-Step Guide

Senate hearings have been in the news for a long time, especially now considering that the flood control project anomalies have been exposed. But oftentimes, people would ask, what are senate hearings since these proceedings don’t usually contain an explainer on what it is, how it goes, who are involved, among other things.

This article seeks to provide a brief background on what senate hearings are and why it is important to tune in to these especially today.

What is a Senate Hearing?

A Senate hearing, sometimes referred to as a congressional hearing, is a special type of proceeding conducted by elected representatives mainly to gather information, examine issues, and investigate matters of national importance. It may be conducted in aid of legislation in accordance with the Senate’s duly published rules of procedure. (Article VI, Section 21 of the 1987 Constitution)

The purpose of senate hearings are three-fold:

1. Legislative Process

First, it can be called for an investigation in aid of legislation and are held to discuss proposed laws in order to gather information from distinguished and expert speakers as well as hear all sides of the Senate on why a particular bill should be passed as law. This can also include an assessment of the possible impacts of a proposed bill on the national scale.

2. Investigative Hearings

This particular purpose of Senate hearings involves probing into controversies of national interest. These typically focus on topics such as corruption, fraud, or malpractices within the government, and they aim to ensure accountability and transparency in the conduct of public service.

This purpose of Senate hearings is more prominent nowadays given the current flood control projects and the involved public officials in the anomalies.

3. Oversight

Lastly, Senate hearings may be held to oversee the executive branch’s activities in that it can request for information on how passed laws are executed currently.

A real life application of this can be seen in the Philippines’ sugar importation anomaly in 2022 where it was found that there were procedural mistakes in the execution of the mandate of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).

Step-by-Step Process of a Senate Hearing

A Senate hearing involves numerous players, not just the Senators themselves. Because of this, senate hearings are considered to be highly technical depending on the issue at hand. Provided below is a simple and easy to understand flow of how Senate hearings in the Philippines are held.

1. Initiation of Hearing

Hearings may be initiated by Senators, the Senate President, Committee Heads, or the Committee on Rules which helps determine the scheduling of sessions as well as the proper procedure to follow.

Section 2 of the 2025 Rules of the Senate provides a complete list of those who can initiate a hearing: “the Senate or any of its Committees if the matter is within its competence, or upon petition filed or upon information given by any Senator or by any person not a member thereof.”

2. Filing of a Petition

After initiation, the Senate shall file a petition or information which contains the facts upon which the Senate hearing is to be based upon. This petition is addressed to the Senate President who shall refer the same to the appropriate Committee.

3. Committee Meeting

The Committee assigned to hold an inquiry on a specific issue shall, within 5 days, determine their course of action. To officially conduct an inquiry, a majority of the members present shall agree to such.

This decision by the Committee shall be referred to the Committee on Rules who is tasked to inform the rest of the Senate on the decision of the Committee to hold or not hold an inquiry.

4. Hearing Proper

The Committee/s shall conduct the hearing including the use of witnesses for their testimonies as well as expert speakers if deemed necessary. This portion of the Senate hearings are what is usually watched by the public on the Senate’s official YouTube page for transparency.

5. Committee Report

After the committee inquiry, within fifteen (15) days the Committee shall meet to begin the consideration of its Report which contains the Committee’s findings. The Report, together with any concurring and/or dissenting opinions, shall be filed with the Secretary of the Senate, who shall include the same in the next Order of Business.

Real World Examples of Senate Hearings

1. Corruption in Local Flood Control Projects (2025)

The corruption in supposed local flood control projects began to be exposed in President Marcos, Jr.’s 2025 State of the Nation Address which reported an alleged loss of at least P118 billion in government funds.

Main private players include Sarah Discaya and her husband, Curlee, who are officials in one of the top contracting companies which allegedly received the most of the funds from the supposed flood control projects. Senators such as Jinggoy Estrada, Joel Villanueva, and Chiz Escudero are some of the public officials allegedly involved and named during the Senate hearings.

2. Alice Guo and her ties to POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) (2024)

This controversy began when a Senate probe was initiated on the current cyber attacks and hacking of government websites last year. These illegal activities were traced to the Baofu compound located in Bamban, Tarlac where Alice Guo was the incumbent mayor.

The series of Senate hearings probed on her capacity to be elected as a local government official given that her nationality background is suspicious as well as other alleged human trafficking activities as well as money laundering.

3. Dengvaxia Controversy (2016)

In 2016, the Department of Health (DOH) spent millions of dollars on Dengvaxia, a vaccination sought to prevent the rising rates of dengue in the country. DOH also kicked off a mass vaccination program with the aim of vaccinating a million students by the end of 2016 which caused the death of several children who received a dose of Dengvaxia.

This led to a Senate investigation on alleged corruption in the allocation of funds in the purchase of these vaccinations and why there was such a hurry to procure them.

Impact of Senate Hearing

The most important impact of Senate hearings is its ability to influence policy-making in the country. For instance, the pork barrel scam in 2013 led to the abolition of the PDAF or Priority Development Assistance Fund which was used to perpetuate kickbacks and fund misappropriation in the country.

It may also increase trust in the government through accountability and transparency mechanisms. Aside from that, it also helps form public opinions on various national issues by raising awareness, sparking debate, and challenging formed beliefs.

Further, Senate hearings also strengthen the rule of law such that it ensures that even after the enactment of a bill, it is properly executed by the executive branch of government.

Criticisms of Senate Hearings

While Senate hearings are generally helpful to the legislation, it is not shielded from public opinion and criticisms:

Trial by Publicity

Trial by Publicity is when an individual on trial or a pending case is subjected to intense public scrutiny, media coverage, or public opinion way before it has been formally adjudicated by the courts.

Since Senate hearings are not in itself trials, the individuals involved in Senate hearings & are usually investigated in connection to illegal activities are freely criticized by the public. Especially since these proceedings are open to the public for the sake of transparency, these individuals are judged without the benefit of a judicial trial.

Politicization

Senate hearings cannot be claimed as insulated or neutral proceedings since the main players are elected representatives with their own agenda and political leanings. For instance, certain senators who are also businessmen engaged in the agricultural sector may end up lobbying or promoting a bill that benefits them the most in their private capacity.

As such these biases definitely play a role in how these Senate hearings are conducted and concluded.

“No-Teeth” Procedure

The Senate, in Sec. 18 of its 2025 Rules, only has the power to cite a witness in contempt if he/she disobeys the Committee or testifies falsely, among other things.

Aside from this power, the findings of the Committee involved do not have any binding upon other procedures as these are taken as mere recommendations. Final decisions on these cases are left to the courts.

How to Access Senate Hearings in the Philippines

Senate hearings are generally open to the public in the form of livestreaming or Senate records. However, when the security of the State or the public interest so requires and the President states in writing, an executive session isolates these proceedings from the public. Aside from the news, you can watch these livestreams on the Senate’s official YouTube page or read their archives on their official website.

Ordinary citizens are also allowed to watch these proceedings in person subject to security requirements by the Senate. The schedule of the committee hearings may be found here.

Key Takeaways

A Senate hearing, also called a congressional hearing, is a formal proceeding conducted by elected representatives to gather information, examine issues, and investigate matters of national importance.
A Senate hearings are held to aid legislation, conduct investigations, and exercise oversight over the executive branch.
A typical hearing follows these steps: initiation by the Senate → referral to the appropriate Committee → Committee meeting → hearing proper → preparation of the Committee Report.
High-profile hearings include flood control project anomalies, POGO controversies, and the Dengvaxia vaccination issue.
Senate hearings promote legislative reform, strengthen accountability, influence public opinion, and uphold the rule of law.
They may be politicized, act as a “trial by publicity,” and lack enforcement power beyond contempt.
Citizens can watch hearings via the Senate’s official YouTube channel, website, or news coverage, with some sessions available for in-person attendance.

Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the purpose of the Senate hearing in the Philippines?

The purpose of the Senate hearing in the Philippines is to aid in legislation, investigate, or exercise the Senate’s oversight powers.

What happens after the Senate hearing?

After the Senate hearing, the appropriate administrative agency or the Courts can decide properly on the issue at hand given the findings of the Senate Committee involved.

What is the meaning of Senate hearings?

How to get a Senate hearing?

A Senate hearing is initiated by the members of the Senate.

Conclusion

Given the political climate now, knowing the answer to “what is a Senate hearing” is critical for us to utilize democracy to the fullest. Senate hearings are more than just televised discussions, but are vital tools for shaping laws, holding officials accountable, and keeping the government transparent.

While they can be politicized and their findings aren’t always binding, hearings give citizens a window into government decisions and the legislative process. By watching livestreams, checking official records, or following credible news coverage, you can stay informed and engage meaningfully with the issues that affect the country.