Politics · Philippines Bureau
Palace challenges VP Duterte on transparency of overseas activities
The Office of the President has called on Vice President Sara Duterte to practice the transparency she is demanding from government officials, amid an ongoing dispute over disclosure of official travel and expenses.
LSN Philippines ·
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on Wednesday issued a counter-challenge to Vice President Sara Duterte following the latter's call for the Office of the President to publicly disclose travel authorities and expenses of government officials.
Castro's remarks came after Duterte called for greater transparency in government travel, a position that prompted the palace spokesperson to question whether the Vice President would apply the same standard to her own overseas activities.
The exchange reflects broader tensions between the Office of the President and the Vice President's office, with questions about official travel and expenditures becoming a focal point of debate. Duterte had recently cancelled a planned personal trip to Japan scheduled for August, though details surrounding the cancellation were not immediately disclosed.
The dispute underscores ongoing friction between the two offices as questions persist about the scope of transparency requirements for senior government officials and the distinction between official and personal travel by members of the executive branch.