Senators deny 2027 budget used to pressure them to convict Sara Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian and Senators Erwin Tulfo and Panfilo Lacson on Thursday rejected Vice President Sara Duterte’s claim that the 2027 budget could be used to pressure senator-judges to convict her.

Gatchalian denied that the proposed national budget was being dangled before senator-judges in exchange for their votes.

“There is no such thing… In fact, the budget is not in any way connected to the judgment in the impeachment trial. The direction of the impeachment is to render an impartial and fair judgment,” he told reporters.

Article continues after this advertisement

“There’s no basis for that kind of allegation,” he added.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

He also said that the Senate had received the proposed 2027 budget only last Monday.

Gatchalian said the Senate would make budget documents, including hearing transcripts, committee reports, the third-reading version, and senators’ proposed amendments, publicly accessible to ensure transparency in the budget process.

READ: Sara Duterte sees 2027 budget used to reward conviction vote

Tulfo echoed Gatchalian’s statements, saying he was unaware of any pressure on senator-judges.

Article continues after this advertisement

“There is no such pressure to vote. And there hasn’t been a vote yet; the trial isn’t over, right?” he told reporters.

Asked whether Duterte’s allegation could be an attempt to discredit or pressure senator-judges against voting to convict her, Tulfo said, “That’s her opinion.”

Article continues after this advertisement

For Lacson, Duterte’s suggestion is “unfair.”

“A sweeping statement from no less than the country’s second-highest official is unfair to those of us who have consistently upheld the integrity of the national budget and served as its vanguards,” Lacson said in a statement.

“In all my years as a senator, I have never succumbed to the allure of pork barrel, in whatever shape and form. On the contrary, I have consistently opposed and fought against it,” he added.

READ: Sison hits prosecutors for withdrawing case after presenting evidence vs. Duterte

On Wednesday, Duterte questioned whether the proposed national budget was being used to serve Filipinos or had become a “bargaining chip” to pressure senator-judges in her impeachment trial and reward members of the House of Representatives who voted to impeach her.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Duterte cited allegations of “cash distribution and political maneuvering” surrounding the proposed budget, but she did not identify specific transactions or individuals allegedly involved.

“Is the budget being used to serve the Filipino people, or has it become a bargaining chip to pressure senators who will sit as judges and reward those who vote ‘yes’ in the House of Representatives?” Duterte said.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

The Senate Impeachment Court recently allowed the prosecution to withdraw three of the four articles of impeachment against Duterte, leaving Article II, which concerns allegations of unexplained wealth, nondisclosure of assets, and failure to divest business interests, as the sole remaining basis for the trial. /mcm