MANILA — The Office of the President has authorized Vice President Sara Duterte to travel to five countries in Europe and Asia from April 23 to May 15, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto confirmed.
In a message to reporters on Wednesday, Recto said the approved itinerary includes the Netherlands, Republic of Korea, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
The authority was formalized through a memorandum signed on April 22, placing the Vice President on official leave and specifying that the trip will be at no cost to the government. It also supersedes an earlier travel clearance that scheduled the trip from April 24 to May 14.
The nearly three-week trip has drawn attention as it coincides with ongoing proceedings in the House of Representatives.
The House Committee on Justice is currently deliberating impeachment complaints against the Vice President, even as the Malacañang clearance allows her to proceed with the multi-country visit as scheduled.