Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano urged the Senate leadership Tuesday to reconsider the schedule for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte and prioritize the 2027 national budget.
Cayetano warned that the country’s economic challenges could worsen if the Senate rushes the trial and delays plenary budget deliberations until late November.
“Given the Super El Niño, given the financial challenges of the world and the volatility of oil prices, the US-Iran war, if we’re going to start discussing the budget on the 23rd (of November) or after that, that may really take its toll on us,” Cayetano said Oct. 13 during the 39th day of the proceedings. “And we won’t feel that until next year.”
His remarks followed an announcement by Senate President and Presiding Officer Francis Escudero that the trial would resume with full-day sessions on Nov. 10, 12, 13, 19 and 20.
Committee hearings for the 2027 budget are scheduled to resume Oct. 14 after a two-week suspension caused by the full-day impeachment proceedings. Because of the trial’s schedule, plenary deliberations are now expected to begin in late November rather than the initial target of Nov. 9.
Cayetano said he remains unconvinced that the trial should take precedence, warning that the budget’s passage will face a nearly three-week delay. While acknowledging that impeachment is an important accountability mechanism, he stressed that the Senate must prioritize the budget amid ongoing global economic difficulties.
“There’s a Super El Niño. The flood control investigation is not yet finished,” he said. “We’re in an economic crisis, not only because of our own doing, but the whole world. All of us here legislators share all these concerns.”
Addressing the prosecution’s decision to formally withdraw Articles I, III and IV of the impeachment complaint — a move intended to expedite the trial, save government resources and allow for regular legislative work — Cayetano said there is no need to rush because the trial lacks a strict deadline.
The Senate could temporarily pause the trial for budget deliberations and resume the proceedings later, he suggested.
“We can take a break tomorrow and focus on the budget. … If it were up to me, let’s prioritize the budget,” Cayetano said.
He appealed to the Senate president and majority leader to review the calendar.
“Priorities are priorities. The budget should be the priority,” Cayetano said. “So maybe I can just lay this at your feet and take it under advisement.” NLMonitor
