Senate sets PHP1M budget for VP Duterte’s impeachment

Senate President Francis Escudero announced Wednesday that the upper chamber expects to spend less than PHP1 million for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, with preparations set to begin once Congress resumes session in June.

The allocation covers essentials such as identification cards and robes for senator-judges, who will receive two robes each costing P6,000 to P8,000 that they must pay to dry-clean themselves.

Escudero emphasized cost efficiency by reusing the witness stand from the 2012 impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona and avoiding unnecessary expenses like meals for legal teams.

Senate staff are finalizing visitor protocols and issuing special identification cards to streamline proceedings, while also making adjustments such as repositioning microphones and updating audio lines in the session hall.

Despite Duterte's impeachment being filed on the last day of Congress' session, Escudero assured that preparations would continue during the recess to ensure timely commencement of the trial when the 20th Congress convenes.