Manila, Sept. 1 -- The Senate is considering holding simultaneous plenary sessions and budget hearings to keep deliberations on the proposed PHP7.2-trillion 2027 national budget on track despite the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Senate Committee on Finance chairperson JV Ejercito on Tuesday said the chamber's current schedule leaves only Thursdays and Fridays for budget hearings, prompting discussions on allowing the proceedings to continue even during plenary sessions.

"Later on, it will be proposed and moved in the plenary, that budget hearings may continue even during plenary," Ejercito said in a press conference.

He said Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian had raised concern that the budget process migh...