The Palace on Tuesday challenged Vice President Sara Duterte’s denial of her scheduled flight for Japan on August 19.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro hit back that there was a Travel Authority issued permitting Duterte’s trip to Japan from August 19 through 24.

“There is a TA for Japan… There is no issue on accuracy on that because there is TA,” she said, as reported by RH 14 Leth Narciso.

Furthermore, the Palace said Duterte should remember that she is a public servant, and so the Filipino people should be informed of her travels overseas, as government funds have been allocated to ensure her security and provide her staff.

“She should be reminded that she is a public official and cannot just hide her face wherever she goes. There is nothing wrong with informing the public about the travel authority, as public funds are being spent on her security and staff,” Castro said.

“The government spent ₱7M for her security and staff for her foreign trips. Filipino people deserve to know where the public funds go,” she added.

Duterte earlier denied reports that she was set to fly to Japan.

“My plans have since changed, and the updated information on this matter was formally submitted to the Office of the President,” the Vice President said in a Tuesday statement.

She reminded the media that information must be verified before publication, and that content engagement should not come before responsible, accurate reporting.

Moreover, Duterte called out the Office of the President for disclosing her schedule, as it potentially “compromises (her) personal security.”