Metro Manila, Philippines — The Senate website was unavailable for the entire workday on Thursday, June 11, following the defacement claimed by a hacktivist group.

The group, Nullsec Philippines, claimed responsibility for the defacement of the Senate website at around midnight.

On its social media page, the group posted a screenshot of a black screen stating that the Senate website had been “hacked” and included a message addressed to the chamber.

“We are watching. The Filipino people entrusted you with power, responsibility, and the duty to serve the nation – not personal interests, political dynasties, or corrupt networks,” the message read.

“Transparency is not optional. Accountability is not negotiable. Public office is not a shield from scrutiny,” it added.

The Senate Electronic Data Processing and Management Information System Bureau confirmed the defacement at around 10 a.m. on Thursday, but assured the public that no confidential or sensitive information had been compromised based on its initial assessment.

“The website primarily contains publicly available documents and informational materials intended for public access,” its statement read.

It added that the issue had been contained and that additional security measures had been implemented.

As of 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, the website was under maintenance.

The Senate is facing a leadership dispute after Senator Win Gatchalian was elected Senate president pro tempore and concurrent acting Senate president, effectively ousting Senator Alan Peter Cayetano. The Cayetano bloc, however, disputes the move.

The two factions are also locked in a tug-of-war over control of the blue ribbon committee, which is investigating the flood control corruption scandal.

Reports of a security threat prompted Gatchalian to order heightened security measures beginning Wednesday, including the implementation of a work-from-home arrangement for Senate personnel.