Vice Pres. Sara Duterte’s Office Asserts Kuwait Trip Authorized, Official
SARA DUTERTE’S OFFICE – The Office of the Vice President confirmed her travel to Kuwait and claimed that no public funds are used for her overseas trips.
The Filipino people undeniably witnessed the frequent overseas trips of Vice Pres. Duterte since the arrest and the transfer of custody of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands. Many Filipinos remain in support of the Duterte family while there are also a lot of people who question her frequent trips abroad.
Malacañang was previously asked about the possible violation that Vice Pres. Sara Duterte may be committing with her frequent trips abroad. According to Palace press officer undersecretary Claire Castro, the Vice President may be going against her obligation to the people.
Meanwhile, Castro stressed that it is Duterte’s choice if she prefers to be busy with her travels. According to the Malacañang press official, the Filipinos are seeing what their elected official is doing.
Recently, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte claimed that her frequent overseas trips are because the Filipino communities abroad are allegedly frustrated already with what is happening in the country. Previously, she claimed that she does not like traveling at all except for the holidays.
After the 2025 Midterm Elections, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte has been to four (4) countries in less than a month. She met with the Duterte supporters in Qatar then visited former Pres. Duterte in The Hague, Netherlands. She also attended a Philippine Independence Day celebration in Malaysia and joined a Free Duterte Now rally in Australia.
Aside from claiming that her frequent travels abroad are allegedly due to the frustration of the Filipino communities in other countries, the Vice President also called on Malacañang not to spread misinformation that she went to Kuwait without a travel authority.
Recently, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte’s office confirmed that she indeed went to Kuwait but stressed that her trip is authorized. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the OVP said the Vice President went to Kuwait on Friday, August 15 to talk about the concerns and issues of the Filipino community there.
“As part of the Vice President’s mandate to represent and advocate for the welfare of all Filipinos, including those overseas, it is essential that she remains actively engaged with the Filipino migrant communities wherever they may be,” Vice Pres. Sara Duterte’s office said in a statement.
According to the OVP, after her itinerary in Kuwait, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte will proceed to working on the release of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. The former Chief Executive is detained under the custody of the ICC in The Hague for around five (5) months now.
Furthermore, based on the report, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte’s office stressed that the official engagements of the Vice President comply with the existing government rules and regulations ensuring that her presence abroad does not violate any law and in line with her responsibilities.
“No public funds are used for all her travels overseas,” the OVP said.
Following the Vice President’s claim that she travels abroad due to “frustrated” Filipino communities, Malacañang hit back at Vice Pres. Sara Duterte saying she’s not mandated to travel and damage the reputation of the President.