Palace Official Questions Sara Duterte’s Australia Trip
In a recent turn of events, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro openly criticized Vice President Sara Duterte for what she called a “lack of ethical standards” during her Australia trip. Castro emphasized that such conduct cannot be excused by using offensive language or personal attacks.
The issue centers on the Vice President’s personal travel to Australia, which Castro insisted must be accompanied by a detailed accomplishment report. This demand highlights concerns about transparency and accountability in public service.
Demand for Transparency Amid Controversy
Vice President Duterte responded over the weekend, asserting that she had no duty to disclose details about her personal travel. She also rebuked Castro for pressing such inquiries, remarking, “That’s the example I gave you that’s really dumb/stupid, right?” during a public statement last Friday.
Despite Duterte’s remarks, Castro reaffirmed in Tuesday’s briefing that an official report describing the outcomes of the trip remains necessary. She questioned whether the visit was truly a vacation or official work, recalling Duterte’s own statement that she was on duty rather than on holiday.
Ethical Standards and Republic Act 6713
Castro underscored the importance of public office as a public trust, citing Republic Act 6713. She stated, “There must be transparency about the positive outcomes of the work done. If there’s nothing to report, then perhaps no work was actually accomplished.” This highlights the expectation that officials must provide clear evidence of their duties and achievements, especially when representing the country abroad.
The Australia Visit and Public Messaging
Duterte traveled to Australia on June 17 and returned on June 24. During the “Free Duterte Now” event in Melbourne, she spoke against the International Criminal Court’s treatment of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained. She called on Filipino supporters to unite and advocate for her father’s cause, encouraging them to raise awareness both locally in Australia and internationally through social media.
However, Castro raised concerns about Duterte using the Office of the Vice President’s official Facebook page to livestream her message at the event. This, she argued, blurs the line between personal travel and official capacity, complicating the nature of the trip.
Calls for Accountability in Public Service
The ongoing debate underscores the demand for clear accountability in public office. While personal travel is a right, officials must distinguish between private affairs and duties performed in an official role. Transparency remains crucial to maintaining public trust.
For more news and updates on Sara Duterte’s Australia trip, visit Filipinokami.com.