MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday ordered government officials to just fly economy class every time they go on official trips abroad, asserting his bid for prudence in spending public money.

Duterte, who himself takes economy seats for his regular flights home to Davao City, said government officials may still upgrade to business class provided they would shoulder the additional cost.

“May standing ano ako, prohibition, all government employees, if you travel, economy class. You want comfortable? You add, if you have the money,” Duterte said in a speech during the 116th anniversary celebration of the Bureau of Customs.

“You will have to explain to me. Show me the receipt that you added more to be upgraded there. Because it is not our money. ‘Yan ang mahirap diyan. So we take the cheapest.”

Duterte said he issued his order since he carries “the burden of the trust of the people.”

Duterte has fired several of his appointees for supposedly taking frequent yet unnecessary travels, among them former Maritime Industry Authority Marcial Amaro III, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor chairperson Terry Ridon, Dangerous Drugs Board chair Dionisio Santiago and, most recently, Commission on Higher Education Chair Patricia Licuanan.

Amid the President’s firing of some “jet-setting” officials, the Palace issued a memorandum outlining rules on foreign travels of government officials and personnel under the executive branch.

• Duterte restricts foreign trips in executive branch
• Palace issues memo on foreign travels for officials in executive branch

Meanwhile, in another speech at the 45th anniversary celebration of the National Economic Development Authority, Duterte again called for the strict enforcement of a presidential decree issued by the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos banning government officials from casinos.

“That is not my rule. That was the rule of Marcos which I think is appropriately also suited for all times,” he said.