VP Sara changes travel plans after 'last-minute' approval from OP

Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday said that her travel plans have "changed" and that she will be sending a new request to the Office of the President (OP).

Duterte issued the letter to the OP a day after it granted her authority to travel from April 23 to May 15 to five countries in the midst of ongoing impeachment proceedings against her.

"Thank you for the last-minute issuance of the travel authority. I regret to inform you that the plans have since changed due to uncertainty whether I will be permitted to depart," the Vice President said. 

"You will be receiving a new request soon. Please ensure that the necessary documents be processed and issued promptly, allowing sufficient time for travel preparations rather than only a few hours before the intended departure," added Duterte.

According to the document signed by Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Duterte was allowed to travel to The Netherlands, Republic of Korea, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom from April 23 to May 15 "while on leave of absence, at no cost to the government."

Duterte, meanwhile, relayed to the OP about ensuring "confidentiality of sensitive documents."

"Ensuring the confidentiality and proper handling of sensitive documents would greatly contribute to maintaining effective security arrangements.

Duterte, who is facing impeachment complaints, did not attend the hearing conducted by the House Committee on Justice on Wednesday.

Malacañang has denied that Duterte's travel request was approved at the last minute.

''Ang Bise Presidente ayon naman po sa records ay nakakatanggap po ng dokumento para sa travel authority niya a day before her intended vacation. So, hindi naman po siya tinanggihan. Wala pa sa record na kapag siya ay nag-request ng pagbabakasyon or personal trip ng mahabang araw o mahaba na panahon na siya ay tinanggihan,'' Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said in a briefing.

(Is that what she wants to show? Based on records, she usually receives the travel authority a day before her intended vacation. So, she's not being denied the right to travel. There's no record that she was denied of her trip or vacation.) 

''So, para sabihin na last minute resolution or decision ito, hindi po ganoon. Dahil iyon po palagi, normally nangyayari po ang pagbibigay sa kanya ng travel authority a day before. 

(So it's wrong for her to say that it was a last minute resolution or decision. Normally, the travel authority was given to her a day before.)  —VAL, GMA News