MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said the Senate cannot shoulder the cost of catering for Vice President Sara Duterte’s staff and legal team during her impeachment trial, citing budget constraints.
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) had asked the Senate, acting as an impeachment court, to provide food and beverages for Duterte’s aides and lawyers at the chamber’s expense.
“We cannot afford it,” Gatchalian told reporters on Thursday, adding that the Senate had not yet formally responded to the request. He said the chamber must prioritize funding for budget deliberations and committee hearings.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo also said members of the Senate majority bloc oppose the request for the same reason.
At the House of Representatives, Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, a member of the House prosecution panel, said the Senate is responsible for funding impeachment proceedings but warned that approving the request could raise procurement issues.
“The OVP is essentially opening the Senate to a procurement case. It seems they want their own caterer, but with someone else footing the bill,” Ridon said, adding that the request appeared more like a “demand.”
In June, Gatchalian said the Senate spends about P25 million on a typical day of operations, excluding impeachment trial expenses.
Duterte is facing four articles of impeachment, including one accusing her of allegedly misusing P612 million in confidential funds.