Duterte's SALN vs. Foreign Trip Expenses: Disconnect Cited

MANILA, Philippines — A disconnect appears to exist between Vice President Sara Duterte’s ability to frequently travel abroad and her financial capability as declared in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said on Monday. Ridon, in an ambush interview on the sidelines of Duterte’s trial at the Sandiganbayan, said that the Vice President’s declared assets may not be enough to cover the expenses of her frequent foreign trips. The lawmaker noted that Duterte has traveled abroad at least 10 times in the past few months, some of which were for official purposes and others for personal reasons. Ridon argued that there seems to be a financial inconsistency between the amount of assets declared by the Vice President and the actual cost of these trips. In response, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) stated that all of Duterte’s foreign trips were official in nature and that the expenses were covered by the national budget. The OVP also reiterated that the Vice President’s SALN was filed accurately in accordance with the law. The SALN is a crucial document in the Philippines for ensuring transparency and accountability among public officials. The discussion surrounding the frequency of the Vice President's foreign travels and their funding sources is likely to draw public attention and may necessitate further explanations.