The request of Vice President Sara Duterte's office to the Senate may be misconstrued as disrespectful, particularly its plea for the Senate to shoulder or answer for the food and beverage expenses of her defense team amid the ongoing impeachment trial.

The Office of the Vice President wants the Senate to answer for the expenses incurred by the defense team for food, beverage, and catering services accredited by their office.

Reacting to this, House Deputy Speaker and Iloilo Representative Janette Garin noted that the request could be misinterpreted as a lack of respect toward the Senate, considering that the proceedings are being held before an impeachment court.

"Ito ay isang impeachment court. It can be also misconstrued, of course with due courtesy sa senate impeachment court, sila ang dapat sumagot niyan pero as a bystander kumbaga, pwede kasi siyang ma-misinterpret na disrespect sa korte and in this case, the senate." Rep. Garin said.

[This is an impeachment court. It can also be misconstrued — of course, with due courtesy to the Senate impeachment court, they are the ones who should answer that, but as a bystander, so to speak, it could be misinterpreted as disrespect to the court, and in this case, the Senate.]

The Office of the Vice President has requested that the Senate cover these costs through its accredited catering service for the duration of the trial.

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