The Senate clarified its policy regarding the foreign travel of its members following a formal letter from Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla disallowing a trip abroad by Senator Jinggoy Estrada.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III stressed that members of the Senate, along with officials of the legislative department, are not required to secure prior approval for personal travel.

“Members of the Senate and officials of the legislative department are not required to obtain a travel authority for personal travel,” Sotto said.

He cited Senate Policy Order No. 2016-003, Series of 2016, which states that “only official travels are subject to prior approval from the Senate President.”

Sotto further pointed to Bureau of Immigration Letter Directive No. JHM 2016-040, dated 20 July 2016, which reiterates that the requirements of Executive Order No. 459 — the mandate for travel authority — do not apply to officials and employees of the legislative department, the judiciary, or constitutional commissions and bodies.

“Accordingly, the requirement of travel authority to travel abroad by its official and employees shall be governed by their respective rules on the matter,” Sotto stated.

He also cited that courts should be aware of these policies, as the travel authority requirement under EO 459 “does not also apply to members of the Judiciary.”