The Office of the President has approved the rescheduled foreign travel of Vice President Sara Duterte from May 2 to 15, Malacañang said Saturday, May 2.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed the approval when asked by reporters.
“Confirmed,” she told reporters.
The Palace official said the authority, issued on April 28, covers Duterte’s travel to the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
The Vice President had earlier requested travel from April 23 to May 15, but later sought a new schedule due to changes in her plans.
The Palace rejected her claims that the travel authority was granted at the last minute.
“Para sabihin na last-minute resolution or decision ito, hindi po ganoon (To say that this was a last-minute resolution or decision is not correct),” Castro said.
“Dahil iyon po palagi… normally nangyayari po ang pagbibigay sa kanya ng travel authority a day before (Because this is what usually happens… the travel authority is normally given a day before),” she added.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Vice President said it has yet to confirm whether Duterte would depart on May 2 as scheduled.
Duterte did not attend the recent hearings of the House Committee on Justice on impeachment complaints filed against her.
The panel is set to reconvene on May 4 to approve its committee report, including the Articles of Impeachment from consolidated complaints.
Vice presidential travel requires clearance from the Office of the President as part of established government protocol for high-ranking officials.