Senator Erwin Tulfo on Thursday raised strong concerns regarding Vice President Sara Duterte’s appeal for the Senate to shoulder the catering costs for her legal counsel, support crew, and witnesses during her upcoming impeachment trial.
Speaking with journalists, Tulfo revealed that members of the Senate majority bloc tackled the issue during an informal caucus, expressing serious reservations about the absence of any statutory or fiscal foundation to approve the plea.
He noted that lawmakers are particularly concerned about how such an expenditure could withstand scrutiny from state auditors.
“Napagusapan namin kagabi sa mini caucus ng majority. 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.
The Vice President formally sent a letter to Senate President Win Gatchalian on Wednesday, petitioning the chamber to fund food, drinks, and catering arrangements for her defense team, staff, and witnesses for the duration of the trial.
Additionally, Duterte specified that all meals and refreshments ought to be sourced exclusively from a catering vendor pre-approved by the Office of the Vice President.
Tulfo indicated that the majority lawmakers present at the meeting leaned toward turning down the request, pointing out that the Senate has no designated budget line item for such expenses.
Nevertheless, he stressed that the official ruling on the petition will be delivered by Senate President Gatchalian.
“Pero upon the decision of the majority of those who attended the mini caucus last night, parang sabi na ‘hindi’ because saan kukunin [yung budget?],” he added.