Senate of the Philippines – Committee Room 4
9:15 AM
The room was smaller than televised hearings made it seem. No press. No cameras. No audience gallery. Just a long mahogany table, a row of senators, a few staffers, and a pitcher of water sweating under the fluorescent lights.
Timothy stepped inside with Hana beside him. Carlos waited outside per protocol; this meeting was invite-only.
Senator Reyes, chair of the Committee on Public Services, sat at the center seat. Older, sharp eyes, deliberate movements. The kind of politician who survived decades by never being the loudest—but always the most dangerous.
"Mr. Guerrero," he said, motioning to the seat across from him. "Thank you for coming."
Timothy sat. Hana took the chair beside him, tablet ready.
Seven senators were present. All had seen the protests last night. All had issued statements carefully worded to avoid offending either side. Today, without cameras, their tone was different.
Senator Valdez spoke first.
