Vice President Sara Duterte has officially scrapped her planned multi-country working visit, citing “uncertainty” caused by the late issuance of her travel authority from Malacañang.
In a formal letter addressed to the Office of the President on Thursday, the Vice President confirmed she had received the necessary authorization but noted that the timing rendered her original itinerary untenable.
The travel clearance, signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, would have allowed Duterte to visit the Netherlands, South Korea, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom from April 23 to May 15.
The cancellation comes amid a period of high political tension. Duterte was scheduled to depart just one day after the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV presented allegations to the House Committee on Justice regarding ₱6.8 billion in bank transactions linked to her and her husband, Atty. Mans Carpio.
In her correspondence, the Vice President did not mince words regarding the administrative delay:
“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.”
Duterte further urged the Executive branch to streamline the processing of future requests to avoid logistical complications for her office.
“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.”
Beyond the timeline of the approval, the Vice President raised red flags concerning the security and privacy of her office’s communications.
She emphasized that the mishandling of such records could compromise her safety.
“Ensuring the confidentiality and proper handling of sensitive documents would greatly contribute to maintaining effective security arrangements.”
While Duterte indicated she would submit a new travel request for a future date, she concluded her letter with a sharp, pointed remark that observers have interpreted as a jab at the current administration:
“God save the Philippines.”