Vice President Sara Duterte clapped back at the Palace, daring them to wholly disclose the travel expenses incurred by all public officials and government employees for their own travels.

Earlier, Duterte denied reports that she was to leave for Japan on Tuesday. In response, the Palace countered that she was issued a travel authority (TA) allowing her foreign trip.

Addressing the Palace’s call for transparency, Duterte said on Monday evening that transparency and accountability should also be demanded of other officials for whom the President has issued travel authorities.

“Transparency and accountability should not be demanded from a single government office alone. The Office of the President issues travel authorities to numerous government offices, including its own officials and employees,” Duterte wrote in a statement.

“In this light, the public would surely appreciate full information on the travel expenses incurred by these offices and officials, including the public funds used for such trips,” she challenged.

Duterte said that from now on, all travel authorities and expenses involving public funds must be publicized.

“From hereon, we expect that all travel authorities issued by the Palace, together with the corresponding travel expenses and public funds involved, be made available to the public,” she said.

Earlier, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro cited a TA permitting Duterte to visit Japan from August 19 to 24, as reported by RH 14 Leth Narciso.

Castro said Duterte should remember that, as a public servant, the Filipino people must be informed of her travels overseas, emphasizing that ₱7 million was apparently allocated for her security and staff services during trips.