Malacañang confirmed on Saturday, May 2, that the Office of the President has granted the necessary travel authority for Vice President Sara Duterte’s revised foreign itinerary, covering a two-week period through mid-May.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro verified the approval, noting that the authorization was issued on April 28. The approved travel covers official visits to the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
The Vice President had originally intended to travel starting April 23, but she later modified her request citing changes in her itinerary.
While Duterte previously claimed that the Palace had delayed her initial travel authority, the Office of the President dismissed these allegations as unfounded.
“Para sabihin na last-minute resolution or decision ito, hindi po ganoon,” Castro told reporters. “Dahil iyon po palagi… normally nangyayari po ang pagbibigay sa kanya ng travel authority a day before.”
Despite the confirmed approval, the Office of the Vice President has not yet verified if the departure took place on the scheduled May 2 start date.
The timing of the trip has drawn significant attention as it coincides with critical developments in the House of Representatives.
Duterte has notably been absent from recent hearings conducted by the House Committee on Justice regarding the consolidated impeachment complaints filed against her.
The committee is scheduled to reconvene on May 4 to finalize its report and formalize the Articles of Impeachment for a plenary vote.
Under standard government protocol, the Vice President is required to obtain clearance from the Office of the President for all foreign travel, particularly during active legislative sessions.