Vice President Sara Duterte requests that the Senate cover catering costs for her impeachment trial defense team, support staff, and witnesses, including food and beverages prepared exclusively by the Office of the Vice President’s accredited caterer. In a letter to Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian dated July 7, Duterte also cites security concerns and asks that meals be served only in her team’s designated holding room for safety. Senate President Gatchalian says the Senate “cannot afford” the request, describing it as a budget issue and noting the impeachment court is still studying the proposal. He also indicates that the Senate has other expenses that must be prioritized.
Separately, the House prosecution panel opposes the idea of Senate-paid catering for Duterte’s defense team, raising objections to the alleged request. Together, the articles show that Duterte’s camp seeks a specific catering and service arrangement, while the Senate and the House prosecution question whether the Senate should bear the costs and whether the request can be accommodated as presented.
