Senate Secretary and Clerk of Court of the Impeachment Court Atty. Renato "Rey" Bantug Jr. clarified that his meeting with Vice President Sara Duterte's Chief of Staff, Atty. Zuleika Lopez, at the Senate on Thursday was limited to administrative preparations and had nothing to do with the ongoing impeachment trial.
Speaking to reporters, Bantug said the discussion focused on logistical arrangements for the defense panel, including guest seating, the assigned holding room, and the use of equipment and support personnel.
"Purely administrative. Ilan daw ba ang guests na puwede lang, ilang seats ang puwede ma-allocate ng Senate sa guests ng defense. We previously communicated with the defense panel that they have 45 seats. So we just clarified the procedure," Bantug said.
He added that Lopez also inquired about the items that could be brought into the defense's holding area.
"They asked if they can bring in a refrigerator, a coffee maker. Sabi ko yes. And then whether they can engage their own caterer. So, yes... It was me meeting them more as Secretary of the Senate to the Chief of Staff of the Office of the Vice President rather than an impeachment court matter. Nothing about the case was discussed. Again, it was purely housekeeping, purely administrative," he explained.
Bantug also dismissed any suggestion that Lopez's visit violated impeachment procedures, despite reports that she may be subpoenaed as a witness in the proceedings.
"Wala naman. It's purely happenstance... Nothing that would affect the merits of the case, nothing that would affect the conduct of the impeachment trial proceedings. It was an open-door meeting. It was not a closed-door meeting," he said.
He noted that the meeting was attended by members of the Senate staff, including the Sergeant-at-Arms and the head of the Protocol Office, emphasizing that no senator was present during the discussion.
Bantug further confirmed that no subpoena was served on Lopez during her visit, explaining that doing so would not have been the proper procedure and that the subpoena had not yet been prepared at the time.
Earlier in the day, Lopez briefly spoke to reporters before entering the Senate, saying only, "Prepare for Typhoon Inday."
Her remark drew public attention because "Inday" is also the widely used nickname of Vice President Sara Duterte, while Typhoon Inday is the name of the tropical cyclone currently being monitored by government agencies and local government units. Lopez did not elaborate on the statement.
