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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Lavish business trip?': Makabayan mulls inquiry on 'big' PH delegation to WEF

'Lavish business trip?': Makabayan mulls inquiry on 'big' PH delegation to WEF

Published Jan 19, 2023 11:59 am

Describing the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland as a "very lavish business trip", ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro says she and her fellow Makabayan bloc solons are mulling the filing of a resolution to probe the supposedly bloated Philippine delegation to the forum.

ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro slams huge Philippine delegation to the WEF during the Makabayan press conference on Jan. 19, 2023. (Screenshot from Facebook live)

Castro made this revelation during Makabayan's press conference Thursday, Jan. 19. "Kailangan busisiin natin yung expenses sa trip na ito (We need to scrutinize the expenses of this trip)," she said.

Castro, a deputy minority leader in the House of Representatives, brought up allegations that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s delegation to Davos totalled 70 people.

"Titignan pa natin ano, pag-iispan nating mag-ano ng inquiry kaugnay niyan. Kasi 70, kasi ang laki-laki naman nitong 70. Parang nakakahiya sa iba’t ibang mga delegates doon sa Davos na mayroon lang less than 10. Tayo 70. Anong ginawa ng mga ito (We will look at it, we will think about filing an inquiry about it. Because 70, that's too big. It's somewhat embarrassing to delegates from other countries that sent less than 10 people to Davos. And we sent 70. What are they doing there)," she said.

Asked to clarify if the militant group would seek an investigation in aid of legislation, Castro answered: "Pag-uusapan pa namin ano, kasi tinign namin lavish ito, very lavish na expenses na business trip (We will talk about it first, because in our view this is lavish, a very lavish business trip)."

"Yun dapat ay kuwestiyunin kung saan nanggaling yung pondo na ginamit dito sa trip. Malaki ang cost ng hotel accommodation in five days, tapos yung syempre yung transportation cost, at iba pang related na mga costs (We need to question the source of the funds that were used for the trip. Huge are the hotel accommodation for five days, the transportation costs, and other related costs)," the teacher-solon said

The House of Representatives will resume sessions next Monday, Jan. 23.

Related Tags

switzerland delegation inquiry 70 WEF House of Representatives davos Investigation FRANCE CASTRO 11923 lavish bloated business trip
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