(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he would slash the number of foreign trips in the executive department by next year.
“Kaya January 1 sabi ko kay (Executive Secretary Salvador) Medialdea—well I do not want to interfere with Congress and the Supreme Court, inyo iyan eh—dito sa akin, no travel, no. I’ll cut it, except the diplomats, iyong mga ambassador,” Duterte said, noting that those in the executive department should go on a “starvation diet” in this regard.
Duterte said he would look at the records of officials and fire those who travel abroad frequently.
Despite Duterte’s stricter standards, the President gave a disclaimer: He would have to leave for India sometime in January.
He explained that he initially “beg(ged) off” from attending, but “the problem is, tayo lang pala ang walang representation.”
“The Department of Foreign Affairs is urging me to go there because India is also a big market. A lot of people there, next to think—parang humahabol siya sa China sa population,” he said, adding that he was “too old” to enjoy traveling abroad.
Duterte has fired several officials after they were accused of traveling abroad frequently.
These include Development Academy of the Philippines president Elba Cruz and Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor chair Terry Ridon.
