The claim that the impeachment trial costs the Senate ₱25 million a day is completely untrue.

That figure represents the cost of operating the entire Senate, including personnel and senators’ salaries, maintenance, rentals, and utilities. The Senate spends it with or without an impeachment trial.

The expenses directly attributable to the trial totaled ₱14,553,561.70 over 44 trial days, or an average of about ₱330,763 per day. These covered meals for personnel during extended sessions, supplies, overtime pay, and the rental of an outside venue for budget deliberations, as the trial occupied most of the Senate’s available rooms.

The Constitution gives the Senate the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment. The Senate is fulfilling this duty as required by law.

We extended our hours and devoted full days to the trial so it could proceed at an acceptable pace, without unduly disrupting the Senate’s legislative work and daily operations.

Taos-puso akong nagpapasalamat sa aking mga kapwa senador at sa mga kawani ng Senado sa kanilang dedikasyon at walang-sawang paglilingkod sa bayan. Dahil sa kanilang oras at tahimik na sakripisyo, maayos na naipagpapatuloy ang paglilitis at ang regular na trabaho ng Senado.

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Photo by Mark Cayabyab / OSP WIN GATCHALIAN