Metro Manila, Philippines – Majority senators have shot down Vice President Sara Duterte’s request for the Senate to shoulder the food, beverages, and catering costs for the defense team throughout the impeachment trial.
In a July 7 letter addressed to Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, a copy of which was recently obtained by the media, Duterte also requested that the meals be prepared by the Office of the Vice President’s accredited caterer, citing security concerns.
”As these arrangements are required solely in connection with these proceedings, the OVP respectfully requests that the Senate shoulder the reasonable costs of food and beverage and catering services for the defense team, support staff, and witnesses,” the letter read.
In a statement on Thursday, July 23, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Accounts, said the request was discussed by senators, including Gatchalian, during an informal meeting.
“Madiin kong tinutulan [I strongly objected to it],” Lacson said.
Lacson said he specifically opposed Duterte’s request to use her own accredited caterer, noting that the Senate already has an official catering service selected through the government procurement process.
“For us to accommodate OVP’s caterer and even shoulder the expenses incurred to feed VP Duterte’s defense team, support staff and witness may be violative of the government procurement law,” Lacson said.
He noted that the Senate has funds available for the impeachment trial under its continuing 2025 appropriations, and that these can be used to cover meals for the prosecution and defense panels, witnesses, senator-judges, and support personnel.
In a separate chance interview, Senator Erwin Tulfo said the majority senators present at a meeting on Wednesday night were against Duterte’s request.
“The decision of the majority was like, bakit natin sasagutin. How do we explain that? Saan natin kukunin yung bayad sa pagkain tapos sila pa mamimili sa catering,” Tulfo said.
“Wala naman sa budget natin, baka masita tayo. Paano natin i-explain na pinakain natin yung defense team,” he added, recalling conversations during the meeting.
[Translation: The majority’s decision was, ‘Why should the Senate pay for it? How do we explain that? Where are we supposed to get the money for the food, especially when they’re the ones choosing the caterer… It’s not in our budget. We might be flagged for it. How are we going to explain that we paid for the defense team’s meals?]
