Vice President Sara Duterte appears to have neglected her obligation to the country and the Filipino people, Malacañang said yesterday, as it questioned her frequent overseas trips.
In a press conference, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro expressed dismay over Duterte’s “personal” trips abroad rather than fulfill her duty as the country’s second-highest official.
Asked what violation Duterte may have committed in connection with her recent travels abroad, Castro said “ang kanya lang sigurong malalabag ay ang kanyang obligasyon sa taumbayan (The only thing she will probably violate is her obligation to the people).”
Castro noted that in just less than a month, Duterte went to four countries – the Netherlands, Qatar, Malaysia and Australia.
“So, kung doon po abala ang ating Bise Presidente sa mga personal trips niya o personal trips with her family, choice po ng Bise Presidente iyon (So, if our Vice President is busy with her personal trips or personal trips with her family, that’s the Vice President’s choice),” she said.
“So, wala po tayong masasabi. Kung anuman po ang ginagawa ngayon bilang Bise Presidente, ito po ang nakikita ng taumbayan sa kanyang ginagawa bilang isang halal na lider ng bansa (So, we have nothing to say. Whatever she is doing now as Vice President, this is what the people see in what she is doing as an elected leader of the country)
Meanwhile, House of Representatives spokesperson lawyer Princess Abante scoffed at the Vice President’s latest trip where she is reportedly set to attend a “Free Duterte Now” rally in support of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Abante said she could not confirm whether the trip was personal or official, but emphasized that elected officials must use their time—whether at home or abroad—for the service of the people, not personal agendas.
“I am not sure if that is an official travel or if it’s a personal travel. But as an elected official, you should always spend your time to public service,” Abante stressed.
She underscored the importance of honoring the people’s trust, especially when public funds and an electoral mandate are involved.
“So that the trust, funds and mandate given to us by the Filipinos are not wasted,” she added.
Reports of the Vice President’s travel to Australia and participation in the rally have raised concerns among militant groups and political observers, particularly as the event appears to be partisan in nature.
The “Free Duterte Now” rally was reportedly aimed at defending the former president, who is currently detained and facing an investigation by the International Criminal Court over alleged crimes against humanity committed during his administration’s war on drugs.
The House has repeatedly called for transparency and accountability in government spending, especially in light of past controversies surrounding Vice President Duterte’s use of confidential funds during her concurrent tenure as education secretary.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Palace questions VP Sara’s frequent foreign trips.”
