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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Yes ma'am! VP camp's request to bring in own equipment, caterer 'no problem', says Bantug

Yes ma'am! VP camp's request to bring in own equipment, caterer 'no problem', says Bantug

Published Jul 11, 2026 12:47 pm  |  Updated Jul 11, 2026 01:10 pm

At A Glance

  • The Vice President's camp asked the Senate if it could bring its own equipment, including a refrigerator and coffee maker, and hire its own caterer for the defense holding area during the impeachment trial.
  • Senate Secretary Renato Bantug said the meeting with OVP Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez dealt only with administrative matters, including the defense's 45-seat allocation and holding room arrangements.
The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte has asked permission from the Senate to bring its own appliances and hire a private caterer for the holding area assigned to the defense during the impeachment trial, Senate Secretary Renato Bantug said.
Vice President Sara Duterte arrives at the Senate in Pasay City on Tuesday, July 7, ahead of the second day of her impeachment trial. (Mark Balmores)
Vice President Sara Duterte arrives at the Senate in Pasay City on Tuesday, July 7, ahead of the second day of her impeachment trial. (Mark Balmores)
Bantug told reporters that the requests were raised by Office of the Vice President (OVP) Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez, Duterte's chief-of-staff, when she visited the Senate Thursday to discuss logistical and administrative arrangements for the proceedings.
Among the concerns initially brought up, Bantug said, was the seating allocation for the defense panel.
He said he informed Lopez that the team would have the 45 seats previously communicated to them before they moved on to other logistical matters.
"The second was, dun sa holding area (in the holding area), can they bring in their own equipment? Of course, they asked if they can bring in a refrigerator, a coffee maker. Sabi ko (I said), yes. And then whether they can engage their own caterer," Bantug said.
Lopez's sudden appearance in the Senate drew attention since she arrived a day after the Senate impeachment court granted the House prosecution panel's request to issue a subpoena compelling her to testify during next week's scheduled trial.
After coducting her business at the Senate, Lopez told reporters, "Prepare for Typhoon Inday"—a remark that may be interpreted in more ways than one.
Senate impeachment court spokesperson, lawyer Regie Tongol, said that failure to heed the subpoena issued by the body may lead to contempt. The Senate impeachment court formally issued the Subpoena ad testificandum to Lopez. 
The subpoena, signed by presiding officer Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, was officially served and successfully received by the OVP’s Central Records Unit on Thursday at 1:10 p.m.

Related Tags

Vice President Sara Duterte impeachment trial Renato Bantug Zuleika Lopez
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