Who Are the Cebu Officials Who Flew Out to London During Typhoon Tino?

Local government officials in Cebu are facing scrutiny after traveling abroad as Typhoon Tino swept across the province, despite a directive from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for local officials to cancel foreign trips ahead of the storm.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla told ANC on Monday, November 10, that the agency is studying sanctions for officials who violated the travel ban.

At a Palace briefing on Monday, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government is determining whether the officials’ absence affected disaster response.

“Unang-una po ay kailangan munang i-assess ano ba talaga ang kanilang pakay papunta sa ibang bansa, at kung ito talaga ay nakaapekto sa mabilisang pag-aksyon para sa mga kababayan natin na nakaranas ng hagupit ng bagyo,” Castro said. “Hindi natin agad masasabi na sila ay may sala na. Kailangan pag-aralan muna.”

DILG records show that Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro approved foreign travel authority (FTA) requests as early as September. Those who left with both Baricuatro’s approval and the DILG’s clearance include Poro Mayor Edgar Rama, Tudela Mayor Greman Solante, and Pilar Mayor Manuel Santiago, along with Cebu provincial board member Andrei “Red” Duterte, son of a late cousin of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Meanwhile, several mayors from municipalities and cities left with Baricuatro’s approval but without DILG clearance, including Liloan Mayor Aljew Frasco, Catmon Mayor Avis Ginoo-Monleon, Compostela Mayor Froilan Quiño, and San Francisco Mayor Alfredo Arquillano Jr. Borbon Mayor Noel Dotillos was scheduled to travel but canceled his trip.

The majority of the trips were scheduled from November 1 to 7, overlapping with the World Travel Market held in London from November 4 to 6. The annual event brings together professionals from the travel and tourism industries to network and attend talks.

At a press briefing on November 6, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, who traveled to London with her husband, Cebu Representative Duke Frasco, and his cousin Aljew Frasco, said she attended the World Travel Market to represent the Philippines.

Pie Gonzaga

Culture Writer

Pie Gonzaga is the Culture Writer of Rolling Stone Philippines, primarily covering film, TV, food, and internet culture.

Gonzaga has worked on a range of stories for print and digital formats, from an interview with Cardinal Ambo David to features on queer party organizers such as CHURCH and Club Euphoria. Her work as the magazine’s former State of Affairs Writer includes news updates on pressing issues like the flood control scandal and the missing sabungeros, and covering rallies. Under Culture, she’s written episode recaps for hit shows, film reviews, and features on restaurants and the people who run them.

Before working with Rolling Stone Philippines, she contributed lifestyle and entertainment stories for a digital news platform.

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• In This Article:
• DILG
• Typhoon Tino