THE Office of the Vice President (OVP) failed or refused to give categorical answers on the whereabouts of Vice President Sara Duterte, but added that she continues to discharge her functions, physically and otherwise.
In a press briefing, OVP spokesperson lawyer Ruth Castelo said they still had to verify the Vice President’s location but did not give a clear-cut answer on the issue.
Castelo asserted, however, that her boss’ involvement in government affairs “never diminished” since 2022.
“Hindi lang natin nakikita, pero ‘yung trabaho na kailangan niyang gawin (We just don’t see her, but the tasks she had to do) for the office are being done. Sometimes virtual, sometimes ghost.” Castelo explained.
Meanwhile, Malacañang said it has yet to receive official information about the current whereabouts of the Vice President.
In a media briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Malacañang has reached out to the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) but has received no update regarding the Vice President’s location.
“Currently, we have no information. We have already called the Office of the Executive Secretary,” Castro said.
According to the Palace, the last approved travel authority for the Vice President covered the period from July 5 to July 28, during which she visited The Hague in the Netherlands and South Korea.
Castro also addressed circulating reports that the Vice President plans to travel to Kuwait on August 8.
“We have heard and been asked about the Vice President’s alleged plan to go to Kuwait on August 8, but as we speak, the Vice President has not yet filed a request for travel authority for the said trip,” she stated.
Under Philippine government protocol, officials holding Cabinet rank, such as the Vice President, must secure a travel authority from the Office of the President for official and personal trips abroad.
The lawyer maintained that Duterte’s involvement in government affairs had not been wanting, adding that even the press releases and figures posted on their social media accounts were being vetted by the Vice President.
However, when asked about Duterte’s whereabouts, Castelo curtly replied; “Let me verify that information.”
On July 30, an OCTA Research survey showed Duterte’s trust rating dropped to 54 percent from 58 percent in the previous quarter. Balance Luzon was lowest at 35 percent.
“Survey or no survey, pareho lang ang trabaho natin (Our job remains the same,” Castelo told reporters.
On August 4, the OVP Facebook page said that Duterte was in Marinduque to give away school supplies.
Duterte also confirmed that she would travel to Kuwait on August 8 to attend a gathering of Duterte supporters.
