MANILA — Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday said the Senate does not have the financial capacity to pay for the meals and refreshments requested by Vice President Sara Duterte for her staff and defense lawyers during her impeachment trial.
Duterte had asked the Senate to provide food and beverages, based on their preferred menu, for members of her legal team and support personnel throughout the proceedings.
Speaking to reporters, Gatchalian said the request remains under review but stressed that the Senate’s budget does not allow for such an expense.
“We cannot afford it,” Gatchalian said.
He explained that the Senate must carefully manage its available funds, particularly with the upcoming budget deliberations and committee hearings that require significant resources.
According to Gatchalian, the impeachment proceedings have already occupied several Senate session rooms, prompting discussions on possibly leasing venues at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) to accommodate the budget hearings.
Despite the request, Gatchalian said he has not yet issued a formal response to Duterte’s letter.
Earlier, Sen. Erwin Tulfo also expressed opposition to the proposal, saying he and other members of the Senate majority believe the chamber should not shoulder the additional catering costs due to budget limitations.
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