House Committee on Energy chair and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco clarified that he used his own money in joining President Rodrigo Duterte’s official state visit in Russia.
Velasco’s statement came as several netizens got irked over personalities who joined Duterte’s second trip to the former Soviet Union, accusing them of being “junkeeters” at the expense of taxpayers’ money.
“Yup. Paid for our own,” Velasco told Politiko through Viber.
Velasco and his wife Wen arrived in Moscow a day before President Rodrigo Duterte and other high-ranking government official including members of Congress flew to the Russian capital last October 1 via a Philippine Airlines chattered flight.
Photos of Velasco together with some local celebrities such as actors Philip Salvador and Cesar Montano and controversial lawyer Larry Gadon have circulated in various social media platforms particularly in Facebook.
Velasco said he just saw those Pinoy personalities when he was strolling along Red Square last Wednesday.
Salvador and Montano frequently joins Velasco on-stage during the 90-day campaign period for the 13-man senatorial team endorsed by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte during the midterm polls last May.
This story was first published on Politics.com.ph, “Sagot sa bashers: Velasco spends own money for Russia trip”