Palace open to disclosing info on official trips

MANILA, Philippines —  Malacañang yesterday expressed readiness to disclose details on the foreign trips of executive branch officials after Vice President Sara Duterte challenged the administration to make public all of its travel authorities and the public funds involved.

At a media briefing, Palace press officer Claire Castro said there have been reports about the overseas trips of President Marcos, who also grants interviews to reporters who cover him.

“You can see what is happening in the foreign trips, official visits, working visits of the President. They are not hidden,” she said.

Castro added that the expenses of the President’s trips are not being concealed.

“They can be accessed and they are reported to the COA (Commission on Audit),” she said.

Asked if ordinary citizens would be provided with details about the travel expenses of officials, Castro replied: “It depends on the purpose. If it is reported, it is not hidden... These are provided, especially to the COA, which is very strict, but the President never threatened it. The COA is free to conduct audits.”

On Tuesday, Malacañang officials confirmed that Duterte had sought a travel authority for a six-day personal trip to Japan.

The travel authority issued by the Palace covered Duterte’s visit to the East Asian country from Aug. 19 to 24.

Castro then revealed that Duterte had sought the cancelation of her travel authority.

She provided the media a copy of the Office of the Vice President’s letter on the cancellation of the foreign travel.