Senate ‘cannot afford’ Sara Duterte’s request for catering – Gatchalian

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

Gatchalian earlier said that after the impeachment had taken up several session rooms, so the Senate might need to rent a space at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), specifically for the budget hearings.

Still, the Senate leader said he has yet to reply to the vice president’s letter.

In an earlier interview, Sen. Erwin Tulfo said he and his colleagues in the Senate majority are opposed to Duterte’s request, citing the same reason given by Gatchalian. /apl