Vice Pres. Sara Duterte Defends Frequent Travel Abroad
SARA DUTERTE – The Vice President claimed that her frequent overseas trips is due to the frustration of the Filipino communities abroad.
Even the ordinary Filipino people have noticed the frequent travel of Vice Pres. Duterte in the different countries abroad. Previously, Malacañang was even asked if there is a violation that the Vice President may be committing with her frequent overseas trips.
When Malacañang was asked about the possible violation that Vice Pres. Sara Duterte may be committing with her recent travels abroad, Palace press officer undersecretary Claire Castro claimed that her travels may be violating her obligations to the people.
The Palace official also said that it is already Duterte’s choice if she spends most of her time traveling. According to Atty. Castro, the Filipino people gets to see what their elected official is doing.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte claimed that she uses her personal money on her personal trips. According to her, she continues to do her work as vice president of the country even when she is on a personal trip. She stressed that it is only during official trips that public funds are used.
Malacañang said Vice Pres. Duterte should report the good results of her work abroad. However, the Vice President refused to expose the details of her trip abroad saying it is not her obligation to do so.
After the 2025 Midterm Elections, Vice Pres. Duterte was able to go to four (4) countries in less than a month — she went to Doha, Qatar to meet with the Filipino communities there; to The Hague, Netherlands for scheduled visits to her father; to Malaysia to join the Philippine Independence Day celebration there; and to Australia where she attended a Free Duterte Now rally.
Recently, based on a report of GMA News, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte spoke anew about her frequent overseas trips that is surrounded by questions and criticisms. According to the Vice President, she goes abroad because the Filipino communities in other countries are allegedly frustrated over the happenings in the Philippines.
“Nagtatravel ako, lumalabas ako ng bansa, dahil frustrated na ang Pilipino communities abroad sa nangyayari dito sa ating bayan,” Duterte said.
Furthermore, the Vice President also issued a challenge for the members of the House of Representatives. She called on the House members to also disclose their travels to the public.
“Ilabas rin siguro nila ‘yung mga travels ng mga members of the House of Representatives bago sila magtuturo ng mga tao na constant travel,” the Vice President said.
Based on the report, Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno agreed to the challenge of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. He called on all members to disclose their travels.
Recently, the Office of the Vice President or OVP defended Vice Pres. Sara Duterte saying she remains to do her job despite her physical absence. According to her office, the Vice President sometimes do her work virtually and sometimes “ghost”.