Palace defends huge delegation to Russia: Everybody was necessary

Malacañang on Wednesday defended the huge delegation that accompanied President Rodrigo Duterte during his recent trip to Russia, amid Senator Grace Poe's reported plan to look into it.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said while it is Poe's prerogative to hold an inquiry, it should be noted that Duterte was trying to strengthen international affairs, and that those who joined the trip were essential for the official visit.

"We need to understand that the President, our leader right now, is really leading in restructuring relationships, international relationships. I think we should recognize how deeply he has become... he is emerging as a leader both regionally, internationally," he said.

"Everybody who went to Russia was necessary," Abella added.

Poe on Monday questioned why some of the high-level officials who were part of the official delegation brought their relatives with them during the trip, and wondered who paid for them.

The list of Duterte’s official delegation to Russia sent to the media had 19 names, including Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Cayetano, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Science and Technology Secretary Fortunano dela Peña, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go, and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian were also part of the official delegation.

But police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Año, and Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson also joined the President’s official visit.

Duterte's partner, Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña and their daughter, Kitty, accompanied were also with him in Russia. Baste Duterte, the President’s youngest son with his first wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman, also joined the trip.

The President, however, had to cut his trip short after declaring martial law in Mindanao following an attack on Marawi City by ISIS-inspired Maute group. —KBK, GMA News