Even the Senate compound isn’t safe from thieves

INSPECTION. A police officer holding an orange umbrella bearing Mark Villar’s name inspects the area where the theft happened on July 29, 2026. James Patrick Cruz/Rappler A flat screen television, printers, and other office supplies were stolen inside the Senate compound It seems even the Senate compound is not safe from thieves. Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Alfred Corpus on Wednesday, July 29, said a flat-screen television, two printers, tables, and other office supplies were stolen from inside the Senate compound. The stolen items don’t belong to the Senate. They are owned by the House of Representatives’ CongressTV. These items were kept inside the network’s tent set up at the Senate compound’s parking lot. CongressTV has put up a makeshift office inside the Senate compound to cover the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. CongressTV is a digital broadcast channel, launched by the House of Representatives, in partnership with state-run People’s Television Network in January 2024. In October 2024, it was transferred to the Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation or IBC. Corpus, a retired police major general, said they are still confirming the exact time of the incident, but estimated that it happened in the early hours of Wednesday, amid heavy rain. Corpus said there are CCTV cameras in the area where CongressTV was stationed, but that the tent obstructed the view of the cameras. It’s hard to see where the suspects may have entered. The Pasay City Police are already investigating the incident and have identified persons of interest, Corpus said. On Wednesday afternoon, a police officer holding an orange umbrella bearing Mark Villar’s name was seen inspecting the area. Corpus said they are considering deploying additional security personnel and installing more CCTVs in the compound. The incident happened days after a suspected improvised explosive device was found about 150 meters from the Senate gate on Monday, July 27, before the opening of the second regular session of the 20th Congress. The Senate session opened at 10 am that day. On the same day, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address. A few weeks before this, a shooting incident happened inside the chamber. For a country where billions in public funds meant for flood control projects have allegedly been plundered, is it really surprising that even the Senate compound is not spared from theft? – Rappler.com How does this make you feel? Loading