DILG Launches Probe Into Cebu Officials' Overseas Travel During Typhoon Emergency
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has initiated a formal investigation into reports that several Cebu provincial officials traveled abroad while Typhoon Tino, internationally known as Kalmaegi, battered the province earlier this month.
Cebu Provincial Assistant Administrator Aldwin Empaces confirmed to media on Monday, November 10, 2025, that the Office of the Governor received official communication from the DILG Central Office directing them to submit all Foreign Travel Authorities (FTAs) issued to local chief executives and officials for examination.
Travel Suspension and Document Submission
Empaces revealed that aside from the investigation directive, the DILG also issued a memorandum suspending all official and unofficial foreign travels for elected and appointed local government officials and employees from Sunday, November 9, to Saturday, November 15.
"But this morning, we just received an order from the national office of the DILG to submit all travel orders that were given to all local chief executives for an investigation and other purposes," Empaces told reporters during the November 10 briefing.
The provincial official clarified that the FTAs under review cover the period from Saturday, November 1, until the present. The Provincial Government has already begun compiling and forwarding the required documents to the DILG and has committed to full compliance with the directive.
"As to the next steps, it is up to the central office. We will just comply with their instructions and orders," Empaces stated, emphasizing the provincial government's cooperative stance.
Officials' UK Travels Under Scrutiny
According to documents obtained from the DILG Central Office titled "FTA Issued by the Governor – People's Governor Pamela Baricuatro," multiple Cebu local chief executives received travel authorization for United Kingdom trips in November.
The travel records reveal several approved foreign trips:
Mayor Aljew Fernando Frasco of Liloan received approval on September 4 for UK travel from November 1 to 11, while Poro Mayor Edgar Rama and Tudela Mayor Greman Solante obtained approval on September 8 for London trips from November 1 to 7.
Provincial Board Member Andrei Duterte secured travel authorization on September 5 for a London visit from November 1 to 8. Other officials with approved UK travel included Borbon Mayor Nico Dotillos (later cancelled), San Francisco Mayor Alfredo Arquillano Jr., Pilar Mayor Manuel Santiago, Catmon Mayor Avis Ginoo-Monleon, and Compostela Mayor Felijur Quiño.
The document indicated that four officials—Mayor Santiago of Pilar, Mayor Rama of Poro, Mayor Solante of Tudela, and PB Member Duterte—had FTAs approved both by the governor and the DILG Foreign Travel Authority Portal.
Meanwhile, Mayor Frasco of Liloan, Mayor Arquillano Jr. of San Francisco, Mayor Monleon of Catmon, and Mayor Quiño of Compostela were granted travel authority by the governor but without DILG FTA Portal approval.
Malacañang Supports DILG Evaluation
Malacañang, through Press Officer Claire Castro, has expressed support for the DILG's evaluation process, stating that local officials who reportedly left the country during super typhoon Uwan's onslaught will be properly assessed before any accountability measures are determined.
"First, we need to assess the purpose of their trip abroad and whether it affected their ability to swiftly respond to their constituents affected by the typhoon," Castro stated during a Palace briefing.
The Palace official emphasized that judgment shouldn't be rendered prematurely. "We cannot immediately say they are at fault. This must be carefully studied first," she added.
When questioned about potential sanctions for violating the DILG's standing order for local executives to remain at their posts during calamities, Castro indicated that the matter falls under the supervision of Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
"We'll see first. This will be under the leadership of Secretary Remulla. Let's wait for their explanation on why they left the country despite the DILG memorandum regarding Uwan," she stated.
The DILG had previously reminded governors, mayors, and other local officials to stay in their areas of responsibility and personally oversee disaster response operations as super typhoon Uwan, described as one of the strongest typhoons of the year, battered the northern Philippines.
The investigation comes as the affected areas, particularly Cebu's 5th District covering hard-hit towns like Compostela and Liloan, continue recovery efforts from the typhoon's impact.
