Sara Duterte asks Senate to foot bill for exclusive catering at trial

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte has requested the Senate to pay for the food, beverages, and catering services of her defense team, support staff, and witnesses, insisting that all meals be prepared exclusively by the Office of the Vice President’s accredited caterer throughout her impeachment trial. Duterte requested the special arrangement in a letter addressed to Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, dated July 7. Citing “legitimate security concerns,” she also asked that all food and beverages for her team and witnesses be served only in their designated holding room for their safety. READ: VP camp’s request to bring own equipment, caterer not unusual – Bantug Despite seeking an exclusive catering arrangement of her own choosing, the vice president also asked that the Senate shoulder the “reasonable costs of food and beverage and catering services” for her camp. “The requested measures are necessary to safeguard the safety and well-being of the defense team, support staff, and witnesses, ensure their full and effective participation, and support the orderly and uninterrupted conduct of the proceedings,” Duterte wrote. She said the OVP trusts that the Senate “will recognize the necessity of these arrangements and approve their implementation for the entire duration of the trial.” READ: Solon: Sara Duterte foreign trip amid trial ‘betrayal of public trust’ The request may raise the question, however, whether taxpayers should bear the cost of a catering service selected by one party to the impeachment proceedings, particularly when the Senate already has existing administrative and logistical arrangements for official functions. The letter bears a receiving stamp from the Office of the Senate President dated July 7, 2026. As of this posting, the Senate has yet to publicly disclose whether it has granted or denied the request. /atm