Senate ‘cannot afford’ Sara Duterte's request for catering
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has rejected Vice President Sara Duterte's request for the Senate to fund catering for her staff during her impeachment trial. Officials cited budget constraints and the need to prioritize other legislative hearings.
Why it matters
Reflects ongoing political tensions and fiscal scrutiny within the Philippine government during high-profile legal proceedings.
MANILA, Philippines - The Senate "cannot afford" to shoulder the catering for Vice President Sara Duterte's staff and the defense team during the impeachment trial, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian asserted on Thursday.
Duterte earlier requested that her personnel and legal counsel be provided with food and beverages of their choosing at the expense of the Senate.
"We can not afford it," Gatchalian told the media, adding that the Senate impeachment court is still studying the request.
He continued: "It's a basic issue of budget. The budget can't [be granted] because we have expenses. We have to prioritize, of course, the budget hearings and committee hearings.)
READ: Sara Duterte wants Senate to pay for catering at impeachment trial
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