The Senate impeachment court is not obligated to shoulder the food expenses of Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team, according to House Prosecutor and Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon.
Ridon made the statement after the Office of the Vice President (OVP) sent a letter asking the Senate to cover the catering expenses of Duterte’s defense team during her ongoing impeachment trial.
“Walang obligasyon ang Senado para magbigay ng pagkain sa prosekusyon o depensa,” Ridon said.
According to Ridon, the request did not come solely from the OVP as it was personally signed by Duterte.
Ridon maintained that both the prosecution and the OVP have their own budgets to cover expenses related to the impeachment proceedings.
Ridon also pointed to reports on social media about supporters of the Vice President considering a fundraising campaign for her lawyers, saying there was no need for such a move because the OVP has funds available for the expenses.
"Meron mo naman po sariling mga budget, general budget, yung House at yung OVP para sa ganito pong mga kalagayan. So, we have been seeing in social media na yung supporters of the Vice President, parang gusto daw po nila na, I don't know, to have a fundraising campaign for the lawyers," Ridon emphasized.
He added: "'Wag po tayo mag-drama-drama dito."
He also urged Duterte to use her personal funds if she does not want to use the OVP’s budget.
Ridon further suggested that Duterte could save on expenses by staying in the Philippines instead of spending government or personal funds on foreign trips.
“Kung ayaw niyang gamitin po yung pondo ng OVP, baka maganda gamitin po yung pondo niya mismo, personal, di ba? And makakatulong mo siguro yun kung nandito siya sa Pilipinas at hindi po niya yun ginagastos sa kanya pong mga biyahe,” he said.
Duterte is currently facing an impeachment trial before the Senate.
