Japan trip with Duterte not a reward, say Medialdea, Lopez, Piñol

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and two of the Cabinet members accompanying President Rodrigo Duterte on his working visit to Japan took exception to Philippine Ambassador to Tokyo Jose Laurel's view that the chief executive took several government officials with him on the trip to “reward” them.

According to a list provided by Malacañang, the official delegation accompanying the President to Japan includes Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Acting Information and Communications Technology Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr., Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo and Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Carlito Galvez Jr.

Laurel said earlier in the day that the trip may be a reward for Cabinet members as the President was “elated” with the results of the midterm elections highlighted by a big win for the administration in the senatorial race.

Medialdea denied that this was the case.

“Hindi naman. Puro halos wala sa kampanya ang mga kasamang opisyal,” the Executive Secretary said in a message to reporters when asked about Laurel’s statement.

“May mga kanya-kanyang trade missions ang mga kasamang gabinete. Hindi po sila dekorasyon sa summit. Trabaho lang ‘yan.”

Lopez, who is part of the official delegation, said they have “never seen” the foreign travels as a reward from the President.

“Every time we travel with the President, we maximize his presence and have him speak to several investments fora, and we conduct deal signing, business matching and networking, roundtable meetings with President Duterte and investors and secretaries do join as an opportunity to dialogue with the foreign business community,” Lopez said.

“We have never seen this as ‘pabuya’ when we are working day and night just to prepare for all these activities.”

Piñol said the Department of Agriculture paid for his trip to Japan.

“DA is shouldering my trip with only one staff member. I am part of the delegation because there will be issues related to agriculture which President Duterte would bring up during the visit, especially tariff on bananas,” Piñol said.

“All that I know is this is a working trip and not a pabuya as the good Ambassador of the Philippines to Japan Jose Laurel V was quoted by the media.”

Laurel said the President’s trip would be shouldered by Nikkie Inc., the organizer of the 25th International Conference on The Future of Asia.

Duterte, who is set to arrive in Tokyo on Tuesday night, is scheduled to speak at the forum prior to his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday.  — BM, GMA News