House open to publicize solons' trips abroad amid VP Sara's 'challenge'

The House of Representatives on Wednesday expressed openness to publicizing their foreign trips after Vice President Sara Duterte challenged members of the lower chamber to do so.

“Puwede naman po siguro yan. Meron naman sigurong mekanismo ang House para dyan,” House spokesperson Atty. Princess Abante told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita in an interview.

(It is possible. The House probably has a mechanism for that.)

Duterte made the challenge to the lawmakers on Tuesday as she responded to House Deputy Minority Leader Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers questioning her constant travels in light of the vice president's proposed budget of P903 million for 2026.

“Ilabas din siguro nila yung travels ng mga members of the House of Representatives bago sila magtuturo ng mga tao na constant travel. And sa totoo lang, hindi naman ako nag-travel dahil gusto ko mag-travel,” Duterte said.

(They should release the travel of the members of the House of Representatives before pointing out others. In truth, I travel not because I want to.)

“Lumalabas ako ng bansa dahil frustrated na ang Filipino communities abroad sa nangyayari dito sa ating bayan. At pangalawa, bumibisita ako sa tatay ko na nakakulong,” she added.

(I go outside the country because Filipino communities abroad are frustrated with what’s happening in our country. Second, I’m visiting my detained father.)

Focus on work

Abante, however, said that House lawmakers currently are focused on their work. 

“Pero sa ngayon, tututok muna kami sa trabaho. Madami pong kailangan tugunan. Hindi na para patulan ang mga patutsada. Itututok na lang po ng House of Representatives sa trabaho,” she added.

(But for now, we will focus on work. There are many things that need to be addressed. We can no longer address the negative remarks. The House of Representatives will just focus on work.)

Abante noted that the House is expected to be busy in the next few days.

“Sa ngayon, tututok muna kami sa trabaho. Madami pong kailangan tugunan. Ngayon pong araw na ito, ang alam ko, magkakaroon na po ng turnover noong budget mula sa Department of Budget and Management papunta po sa House,” Abante said.

(For now, we will focus on work. There are many things that need to be addressed. Today, as far as I know, there will be a turnover of the budget from the Department of Budget and Management to the House.)

“Magsisimula na po ang budget hearings, iba't-ibang QuadComm hearings, TriComm hearings, at yung pagtutugon sa problema tungkol sa flood control projects,” she added.

(The budget hearings, various QuadComm hearings, TriComm hearings, and the response to the problems regarding flood control projects will begin.) —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News