SOME OFFICIALS of the Nayong Pilipino Foundation, Inc. (NPF) who allegedly went on an unauthorized trip to Jeju province in South Korea last year are currently being investigated, Malacañang announced on Wednesday, Feb. 7.

“The matter is being investigated, and we are inviting the public with information to report to the Palace,” Presidential Spokesperson Herminio Harry L. Roque, Jr. said in a phone patch interview with Malacañang reporters.

“Come forward and file a complaint with the Office of the President,” the spokesman said in a separate statement.

NPF, a government-owned and controlled corporation, manages the Nayong Pilipino cultural tourism park in Pasay City, near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

In December last year, President Rodrigo R. Duterte vowed that he would put an end to junkets starting Jan. 1.

The president had recently fired Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) administrator Marcial Quirico C. Amaro III and Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) chairperson Patricia B. Licuanan for their alleged “excessive foreign trips.”

In his speech during the 45th anniversary of the National Economic and Development of Authority (NEDA) last Tuesday, Feb. 6, Mr. Duterte said: “I know that some trips are valid and legitimate, and I am okay with those. But if you travel 22 times, 12 times every month, and all of those are seminars or conventions on climate change: climate change in South America, climate change in Brussels, climate change in New York… I asked MARINA, what did you learn? You traveled 22 times.”

Mr. Duterte also pointed out that Ms. Licuanan traveled “every month,” and slammed her for the alleged delays in the release of allowances to CHEd scholars. — Arjay L. Balinbin

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR