Duterte says he signed EO to limit travels of gov’t officials

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday night said he has signed an executive order that would limit the travels of government officials.

“I just signed an executive order banning travel,” Duterte said in his speech during the birthday celebration of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez at the Tagum City Hall.

Duterte said the executive order also covers the travels of local government officials.

“Mahirap ang travel ngayon, down, pati local officials, down. Local government will enforce it, you have to --- be sure to give me well ahead in time your itinerary and give me a synopsis or --- just a short memo of what you intend to do and what is it all about,” he said.

The President said the executive order is part of his anti-corruption campaign.

“'Yan lang ang ano ko, it's part of the campaign against corruption,” he said. Not only done with malice but those who just want to spend money of government for nothing. And for those who have traveled more than 12, you have to go,” he said.

Last January 4, Maritime Industry Authority Administrator Marcial Amaro III was sacked for allegedly going on excessive foreign trips. He was the latest official to be fired by Duterte.

Duterte had also fired former Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor chair Terry Ridon over alleged unnecessary trips.

Last week, Malacañang released guidelines for government officials and personnel in the executive department when applying for overseas travels.

The memorandum specified three minimum criteria for foreign travels:

• the purpose of the trip is strictly within the mandate of the requesting government official or personnel
• the projected expenses for the trip are not excessive
• the trip is expected to bring substantial benefit to the country

The Palace had reminded that the government official or personnel will not be allowed to depart for any travel abroad without the appropriate authorization from the agency concerned, even for a personal trip. —ALG, GMA News