Erwin Tulfo: Senate has no budget for VP’s catering request

Sen. Erwin Tulfo — Photo by Niño Jesus Orbeta/INQUIRER MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Senate majority have rejected Vice President Sara Duterte’s request for the chamber to shoulder catering for her staff and the defense team during her impeachment trial, Sen. Erwin Tulfo said. Although he clarified that the decision would come from Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, he shared that he and his colleagues have opposed it. “How are we going to answer to the COA [Commission on Audit] about that, right? We’ll be asked about it. We discussed it last night during the majority’s mini-caucus, and the decision of the majority was: Why should we be the ones to answer for it? How do we explain that? Where are we going to get the money to pay for the food? And on top of that, they’re the ones choosing the caterer,” Tulfo recounted to the media on Thursday. Article continues after this advertisement READ: Sara Duterte wants Senate to pay for catering at impeachment trial He explained that food for the personnel of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) is not part of the Senate’s budget, and heeding to such requests may have the Senate flagged for allocation changes. In a letter addressed to Gatchalian signed by Duterte on July 7, she requested the Senate to “shoulder the reasonable costs of food and beverage and catering services for the defense team, support staff, and witnesses.” The request also detailed that the food and beverages to be paid for by the Senate will be “sourced, prepared, and served exclusively by the OVP’s accredited caterer” for security and assurance. Ninety-two trial days in total were assigned to Duterte’s impeachment trial over allegations of amassing unexplained wealth, bribery, misuse of confidential funds, and grave threats. Only nine trial days have passed since the proceedings began on July 6. /das Article continues after this advertisement Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.