Malacañang has begun examining reports that several local officials traveled abroad last week despite a standing directive to cancel trips as the country braced for Typhoons Tino and Uwan.
A list submitted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) indicated that at least seven mayors and one Cebu provincial board member were overseas—specifically in the United Kingdom—while Tino battered the province. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla separately confirmed that Isabela Governor Rodolfo “Rodito” Albano III was in Germany at the height of Supertyphoon Uwan’s landfall.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government will first review the circumstances behind the officials’ departures. “Tingnan po muna natin kung paano sila mag-e-explain kung bakit despite that may memorandum ay umalis sila ng bansa,” she said.
She added that the assessment will also determine whether their absence affected local disaster response. “Kailangan muna ito ma-assess kung ano ba talaga ang kanilang pakay sa ibang bansa at kung ito ba ay nakaapekto sa mabilisang aksyon para sa mga kababayan natin na nakaranas ng hagupit ng bagyo,” Castro told reporters. “Hindi natin agad masasabi kung sila ay may sala na. Kailangan pag-aralan muna.”
Remulla earlier noted that Albano had been attending an agriculture fair in Germany and had filed his travel leave weeks prior. “Noong nakausap ko siya, he was attending an agri fair in Germany and he applied for his travel leave a month ago pa so I told him na umuwi ka na dito,” he told ANC’s Headstart. He added that the governor committed to take the first available flight home and praised Isabela officials for being “very prepared.”
Under Republic Act No. 7160, governors, mayors, and local council members are required to lead disaster response efforts within their jurisdictions. The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act (RA 10121) also outlines their responsibilities in organizing and supervising local DRRM offices. Officials proven to have neglected their duties face fines ranging from P50,000 to P500,000 and imprisonment of six to 12 years, with possible perpetual disqualification from public service in severe cases.
In Cebu, the provincial government confirmed it had been asked to submit travel orders issued to local chief executives for review. Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces said the documents—covering all international travels since November 1, including one mayor’s withdrawn travel authority—were forwarded Monday morning. “In regards with what’s next, we don’t know yet,” he said.
Officials reported to have traveled include Catmon Mayor Avis Monleon, Compostela Mayor Felijur Quiño, Liloan Mayor Aljew Fernando Frasco, Pilar Mayor Manuel Santiago, Poro Mayor Edgar Rama, San Francisco Mayor Alfredo Arquillano Jr., Tudela Mayor Greman Solante, and board member Andrei Duterte.
Typhoon Tino unleashed widespread flooding across Cebu, sweeping away vehicles, riverside homes, and large cargo containers. The storm claimed around 150 lives and displaced thousands. Days later, Supertyphoon Uwan tore into the eastern coastline, leaving destruction across a vast stretch of the country. At least two deaths and over a million displaced residents have been reported so far.
