The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Thursday confirmed that Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano are currently out of the country.
In a statement, the BI said there were no hold departure orders or derogatory records against the two senators as of their departure date that would have legally prevented them from leaving the Philippines.
“Based on BI records, there were no hold departure orders or derogatory records against the two senators, as of departure date, that would legally prevent them from leaving the country,” the agency said.
The BI declined to disclose specific details about the senators’ travel, including their itinerary, citing the Data Privacy Act of 2012.
The confirmation came after Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said earlier in an interview on DZRH’s Damdaming Bayan that he had yet to verify reports that Alan Cayetano had traveled to Singapore with his sister, Pia Cayetano.
Gatchalian explained that senators do not need to seek permission or submit a formal notice for personal or private travel, as long as they return in time to attend Senate sessions or hearings.
He also clarified that a travel authority is required only for official government trips and does not apply to private travel.
