A Palace official stated that individuals demanding openness must also practice it themselves, responding to Vice President Sara Duterte’s challenge for Malacañang to make all issued travel authorities public.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the comment during a press briefing when asked about Duterte’s call for the full disclosure of Palace-approved travel clearances and their corresponding costs.
“Kung sino ‘yung nag de-demand ng transparency, dapat maging transparent din siya sa kanyang mga activities. At patungkol sa budget, hindi din po ito tinatago, kumpletong resibo, walang peke, walang alias,” Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.
The remark appeared to reference the disputed acknowledgment receipts tied to confidential funds managed by the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education during Duterte’s tenure leading both agencies. These receipts were previously presented as evidence in her Senate impeachment proceedings.
Duterte argued that the Executive Branch should release all granted travel authorizations alongside the public funds spent on those journeys. In response, Castro clarified that Malacañang is fully prepared to provide details whenever reporters request information on approved travel clearances for government officials.
“Depende po ‘yan sa media. Kung sino po ang hihinging niyo na travel authority, kung sino ang na-isyuhan ng travel authority, kami naman ay tutugon. Hindi po namin sini-single out,” she said.
Castro reiterated that the Office of the President maintains full openness regarding official travels within the country and abroad.
“Nagkakaroon pa nga po ng pag re-report, may Kapihan pa po, at nakikita niyo po kung anong nangyayari sa foreign trips, official visits, working visits ng ating Pangulo,” Castro said.
The back-and-forth occurred after Malacañang confirmed approving Duterte’s travel request for a trip to Japan. The Vice President subsequently canceled the trip while expressing security concerns over the public release of her schedule.