An alleged gap in coordination over overseas travel has prompted calls for stricter notice procedures inside Cebu’s provincial government.
Vice Governor Glenn Anthony Soco has asked Governor Pamela Baricuatro to ensure that his office is informed ahead of any official foreign travel, citing the need to avoid confusion in leadership transitions and maintain continuity in government operations.
Soco made the request in a letter dated April 7, 2026, where he stressed that advance coordination is necessary whenever the governor leaves the country and the vice governor assumes duties as acting governor.
He said the move was intended to improve communication between their offices moving forward.
“I just took the proactive step on writing to the governor so that moving forward, ma coordinated na,” Soco said in an interview.
The vice governor said the concern stemmed from Baricuatro’s recent trip to Japan from April 4 to 8, which he said was not formally communicated to his office before departure.
“It has been observed that your recent travel to Japan… as well as some of your prior trips, were not formally communicated to the Office of the Vice Governor,” Soco stated in his letter.
He added that timely notice is essential to ensure proper turnover of duties and uninterrupted government operations.
Soco said his office only learned of the trip after it had already begun.
“Sa katong latest trip niya, wa jud mi kahibaw nga nilarga diay si Governor Pam didto sa Japan,” he said.
He added that confirmation came during a session on April 6.
“Pag session namo niadtong niaging Monday, didto ra mi kahibaw nga tua na diay siya didto sa Japan—that was after lunch,” Soco said.
He further noted that a copy of the travel authority from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) was only obtained later that day.
“We were able to get a copy sa DILG… pag 12:41 noon,” he said.
Soco described the issue as “technically sensitive,” saying delays in notification could affect official designations during his stint as acting governor.
“Technically sensitive man gud kaayo na because I cannot preside if I’m already designated as Acting Governor,” he said.
He acknowledged, however, that earlier trips had been properly coordinated, including a previous travel to China.
Baricuatro maintained that her travel complied with all legal requirements and was approved by the DILG.
“You know what, I did the right thing. Everything was legal. I was given approval according to travel by the DILG,” she said.
She added that notification to the vice governor’s office is handled by the DILG, not by her office.
“It’s supposed to be the DILG to inform the Office of the Vice Governor. It’s not my prerogative to tell him,” she said.
Baricuatro also said any delay may have resulted from an internal lapse in communication within the concerned office processing the travel authority.
“Ang nahitabo lang gyud wala dayun kahibaw ang official director nga naa na diay ang akong authority to travel… wala siya na inform sa iyang secretary,” she said. (SBA)
Comments