Jonathan Frederic De Santos

The defense and House prosecution panels cross-examine NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag as he takes the witness stand during the eighth day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

The defense and House prosecution panels cross-examine NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag as he takes the witness stand during the eighth day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News 

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784791103219178463317244520260721-vp-sara-impeachment-day8-MT19.webp" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="The defense and House prosecution panels cross-examine NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag as he takes the witness stand during the eighth day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News"/>The defense and House prosecution panels cross-examine NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag as he takes the witness stand during the eighth day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </div>MANILA (UPDATE) — Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian says the chamber cannot afford to shoulder the food of the prosecution and defense in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Gatchalian says he has not yet formally responded to Duterte&#x27;s letter request for exclusive arrangements for the food of her defense panel and to have  the Senate shoulder the cost of feeding them.He said that, as things stand, the upper chamber already needs more funds to rent office space at the nearby Philippine International Convention Center because some rooms at the Senate have been set aside for use for the impeachment trial.He said committees will need space for hearings for the 2027 national budget.&quot;So, in short, wala kaming pondo para magbigay ng pagkain sa prosecution and defense,&quot; he said.(In short, we have no funds to provide the prosecution and defense food.)Gatchalian said there is no estimate yet on how much renting the extra rooms would cost but said that it is clear that they will need more than the three committee rooms still available at the Senate.Sen. Erwin Tulfo said the majority bloc met on Wednesday night and reached that conclusion.&quot;Wala naman sa budget natin. Baka masita tayo. Papaano natin i-explain na pinapakain natin yung defense?&quot;(It isn&#x27;t in our budget so we might be flagged for that. How do we explain providing food for the defense?)Meanwhile, House impeachment prosecutor Rep. Terry Ridon said the reported request from Duterte for the Senate to shoulder the Defense panel’s food expenses in the impeachment trial, but limits the choice to “OVP’s accredited caterer” could expose the upper chamber to a procurement complaint“Parang the OVP is basically opening up the Senate for a procurement case, hindi ba? Kasi parang ang gusto nila, sila ang pipili ng caterer, pero ang taga-bayad, ibang tao,” he said.“Parang wala hong obligasyon ‘yung Senate Impeachment Court para bayaran ‘yung pagkain ng kahit sinuman, whether ng prosecution at ng defense. Kasi ang totoo naman ho, may sarili pong mga opisina, ‘yun pong Defense at saka Prosecution. So ‘yun pong Defense, mayroon silang OVP general budget. ‘Yun pong House, mayroon silang General House budget para dito po sa paglalatag po ng impeachment trial na ito,” Ridon added.With budget season and regular legislative work coming up, Gatchalian said impeachment trial hearings will be held 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Mondays to Wednesdays. Legislative sessions will start at 4 p.m.Thursdays and Fridays will be for other legislative work like committee hearings.&quot;It&#x27;s going to be a challenge, honestly,&quot; Gatchalian said. —With reports from Vivienne Gulla, ABS-CBN News<div> </div><div>RELATED VIDEO</div><div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wYmCR71uAzE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said that, as things stand, the upper chamber already needs more funds to rent office space because some rooms at the Senate have been set aside for use for the impeachment trial.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said that, as things stand, the upper chamber already needs more funds to rent office space because some rooms at the Senate have been set aside for use for the impeachment trial.

Gatchalian: Senate can't afford to feed defense, prosecution in Duterte impeachment trial

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Gatchalian: Senate can't afford to feed defense, prosecution in Duterte impeachment trial

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 23, 2026 03:32 PM PHT

|

Updated July 23, 2026 04:38 PM PHT

Read More:

Sherwin Gatchalian

Erwin Tulfo

Impeachment

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.