MANILA — Malacañang on Thursday cautioned government officials, particularly lawmakers, against excessive foreign travel, stressing that public office demands full attention to governance and lawmaking as the administration pushes for sustained national development.
Presidential Communications Office Press Officer Claire Castro said the country’s progress hinges on elected leaders remaining focused on their constitutional duties, especially in crafting laws that respond to the needs of the public.
“Para umanlad ang bansa, magtrabaho tayong lahat. Ang mga mambabatas ay obligadong gumawa ng magagandang batas para sa bayan at mamamayan,” Castro said.
Castro issued the reminder after Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte amended his earlier travel request, which initially sought permission to visit 17 countries from December 15 to February 20.
Under the revised request, Duterte is now asking authority to travel only to the Netherlands from January 3 to 15 to visit his father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained at the International Criminal Court over crimes against humanity charges linked to the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign.
The Palace official warned that frequent foreign trips and leisure travel by public servants undermine public trust and distance officials from urgent national issues.
“Kapag puro bakasyon at world tour ang gagawin ng isang public servant, wala talaga siyang maiintindihan at wala siyang gagawin kundi iwasan ang isyu ng korapsyon na kinakaharap niya,” Castro said./PN
