Congressman Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco of the flood-sticken province of Cebu explained the circumstances of his trip to London in the United Kingdom (UK), which coincided with Typhoon Tino's onslaught.

In a statement Tuesday, Nov. 11, Rep. Frasco bared that his London trip was an authorized official mission, and was part of the Philippine delegation to the World Travel Market (WTM)--one of the largest and most influential global tourism expositions in the world.

“This event provides an important platform for promoting international partnerships, investments, and economic opportunities for our country, particularly in the tourism sector,” said the former House deputy speaker.

“Although it was an authorized trip, no government funds were used for this travel, as has always been my practice in most of my foreign official travels,” Rep. Frasco underscored.

He came up with these remarks after lawyer Julito Añora filed administrative and criminal complaints before the Visayas Ombudsman against him and seven mayors were abroad amid Tino's arrival.

Rep. Frasco brushed off the complaint and said it was “founded on erroneous assumptions and misrepresentations of fact and law".

The Ceburano noted that his travel was officially approved by the Speaker of the House of Representatives through the secretary general, in observance of established procedures for members of Congress undertaking official missions abroad.

Rep. Frasco is the husband of Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco.

Cebu grabbed headlines last week due to the destructive flash floods caused by Typhoon "Tino".

Rep. Frasco said that he immediately arranged his return to the Philippines upon learning of the situation. “I arrived in London on Nov. 4, and upon learning of the severe flooding that struck parts of Cebu, I immediately made arrangements to return to the Philippines the very next day."

“I secured the earliest available flight on Nov. 5, departed London, and arrived in Cebu on Nov. 6, proceeding directly to Barangay Cotcot, Liloan, to assist in the ongoing relief and coordination efforts with national and local officials,” he recalled.

Responding to allegations regarding his supposed “failure to fulfill statutory obligations", Rep. Frasco said such claims are legally misplaced. “As a legislator, my constitutional duties encompass representation, lawmaking, and oversight,” he said.

“Yet in times of crisis, I always try to extend whatever support and assistance I can offer to my constituents, to the point of giving personally funded relief, which is what my team immediately mobilized,” he further said.

Rep. Frasco reaffirmed his ongoing efforts to support communities affected by the typhoon.

“I will continue to coordinate with national government agencies to extend every possible assistance to the local government units in their relief, rehabilitation, and recovery efforts for the people of Cebu and the rest of our affected communities.”