Vice President Sara Duterte pushed back against the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) claim that P500 is enough for a family’s Noche Buena, emphasizing that it has long been clear that such an amount can no longer cover holiday meal needs.
Speaking to supporters in The Hague, Netherlands on Tuesday, December 2 (December 1 Central European Time), Duterte refuted DTI Secretary Cristina Roque’s assertion that a P500 Noche Buena is feasible this year, but only for a family of four and with a pared-down menu.
“It is not true that Noche Buena can fit into 500 pesos. It has been a long time since 500 pesos were enough for a family’s Noche Buena. In fact, the ones we give out at Christmas are now around 2,100. That includes spaghetti and the salad pack,” she said.
When asked about her conversation with her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, during her visit to the International Criminal Court, she said their discussion on politics “went well.”
“Today is a good day. We had a good talk about politics. There was a little talk about family, but mostly about politics and what’s happening,” she added.
She said the former president did not bring up the ICC’s recent denial of his interim release bid, noting that “he didn’t mention it.”
On November 28, the ICC Appeals Chamber denied the Defense’s request for Mr. Duterte’s interim release, citing the risk that he could evade justice or disrupt pre-trial proceedings due to his extensive network of supporters.
This was Duterte’s fifth trip to the Netherlands this year after her father was arrested and brought to The Hague on a warrant issued in connection with alleged crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s anti-drug campaign.
According to a reliable source from the Manila International Airport Authority, one-way fares from Manila to the Netherlands range from approximately P17,000 to over P40,000, while round-trip tickets generally cost between P34,000 and P64,000 or more, depending on airline, season, and booking lead time.
In September, Duterte said her overseas travel is covered by a travel authority and does not use public funds. According to the Office of the Vice President, government funds only cover expenses for security and accompanying personnel.
