VICE President Sara Duterte has abruptly canceled her planned personal trip to Japan just one day after Malacañang issued the necessary travel authority, citing concerns that the public disclosure of her itinerary placed her personal security at risk.
The Office of the President had formally approved the Japan trip on August 17, authorizing travel from August 19 to 24 at no expense to the government. However, on August 18, the Office of the Vice President requested that the travel authority be withdrawn, indicating a change in plans without immediately providing specific details.
Duterte issued a statement clarifying that earlier reports about her trip were no longer accurate because her schedule had already been revised and formally submitted to the Office of the President.
She pointedly raised a security concern over the Palace’s decision to announce her travel plans publicly. “I wish to again remind the Office of the President that the continued publication or disclosure of my schedule is a matter of serious concern, particularly as it compromises my personal security and exposes me to heightened risks,” Duterte stated. She did not elaborate on her revised schedule or reveal whether she had alternative travel arrangements in place.
The cancellation comes amid heightened public attention on Duterte’s overseas travels while she faces an ongoing impeachment trial in the Senate.
In July, she was authorized to travel to Qatar, Germany, the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, and the Netherlands — a trip her office described as a mix of official and personal engagements, also at no cost to the government. As of now, Malacañang has yet to respond to Duterte’s security complaint, and the Vice President’s office has not disclosed whether new travel plans have been filed.
metrosundaily
