The Senate leadership has allowed the Senate committee on finance to hold budget hearings simultaneously with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte as lawmakers fast-track to approve the proposed 2027 national budget.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said only the finance committee, chaired by Sen. JV Ejercito, will be permitted to conduct hearings on the proposed 7.2 trillion-peso national budget while the impeachment proceedings are underway.

“We will allow the committee on finance lang to conduct simultaneous hearings,” Gatchalian said.

The impeachment trial will continue to be held in the morning for now, Gatchalian said, reiterating that there are no changes to the current schedule of Duterte's trial.

“Umaga pa rin [ang impeachment trial] for now,” he said.

Gatchalian said the decision to allow simultaneous budget deliberations was prompted by the tight legislative calendar prepared by Ejercito, with the Senate concerned that it could run out of time to pass the 2027 budget before the end of the year.

“Kasi noong pino-plot ni Chairman JV yung schedule, tight talaga eh. Nagwo-worry kami baka hindi umabot by end of the year,” Gatchalian said.

The Senate president stressed that lawmakers want to avoid operating under a reenacted budget next year.

“Ayaw natin magka-reenacted budget,” he said.