Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano warned on Monday, July 27, that the Upper Chamber faces an increasingly heavy workload if the ongoing impeachment trial extends for several months, particularly with the upcoming 2027 national budget deliberations.
Speaking after the Senate formally opened its session ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address, Cayetano pointed out that lawmakers must also balance budget discussions with priority legislation and the confirmation of presidential appointees.
“It will be challenging…It’s more concerning if this impeachment reaches up until October or November, because remember, November would be budget hearings here in the Senate,” Cayetano told reporters.
Because the impeachment trial takes up most of the regular workweek, committee hearings and other legislative work risk being pushed aside. Senate President Win Gatchalian previously suggested holding trial and plenary sessions from Monday through Wednesday, leaving Thursday through Saturday for other legislative duties.
However, Cayetano expressed reservations about a six-day workweek schedule in Manila, emphasizing the need for lawmakers to remain present in their constituencies.
“But given that our senators are elected nationwide, dapat pagpapakita din kami sa other parts of the country,” the former Senate leader said.
Despite the potential calendar conflicts and time constraints, Cayetano maintained that the Senate must fulfill all of its constitutional mandates.
“We just have to rise to the challenge,” he said.