The Office of the Vice President on Thursday said that it was “unfortunate” that the country’s second-highest executive flew off on a European trip with her family just as a confluence of weather disturbances was wreaking havoc over parts of the country.
However, it explained that Vice President Sara Duterte had earlier secured travel authority when she left the country on Wednesday for a “personal trip with her family overseas.”
“Her (Duterte’s) departure received the necessary approvals, as evidenced by the travel authority issued by the Office of the President dated 09 July 2024,” the OVP said in a statement.
The OVP noted that while “the timing of the trip coinciding with Typhoon Carina is unfortunate,” its Disaster Operations Center “is always ready to assist families affected by calamities.”
“We thank the public for respecting the privacy of the other members of the family,” the statement added.
Earlier, a source from the OVP said the Vice President’s trip was “not a spur-of-the-moment decision to take vacation.”
Duterte was seen departing from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 at 1:50 a.m. on Wednesday for their flight to Germany with her husband, children, and mother Elizabeth Zimmerman.
The Duterte-Carpios were reportedly visiting the Zimmerman side of their family in Germany.
There are no details yet on when the Vice President will return to the Philippines as of this writing.
While she was on her flight, the OVP announced relief efforts were underway for those affected by the storm through its Disaster Operations Center (DOC).
Despite these efforts, Duterte’s departure drew flak from netizens.
The hashtags #NasaanAngBisePresidente, #SaraDuterte, and #DesignatedSurvivor immediately trended on X after a news report showed that Duterte was departing for Germany.
Despite the explanation, Liberal Party President and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman on Thursday slammed Duterte for leaving the country as it was mired in crisis.
“Her lack of empathy and concern is appalling as Metro Manila and many parts of the country are reeling in a state of emergency,” Lagman said in a statetement.
“The sincerity of public leaders must be gauged by their selflessness and support in times of nationwide calamities and emergencies,” he added.
Lagman rejected Duterte’s excuse that the trip has long been planned and she has a travel authority.
“She should have allowed the members of her family to go ahead with the trip and she could have just followed after attending personally to the needs of the victims as is expected of a genuine public servant,” he said.
Meanwhile, House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe expressed deep concern over the Vice President’s “worrisome silence” over President Marcos’s recent policy pronouncements on the West Philippine Sea and the all-out ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) during his third State of the Nation Address.
“We should all be on the same boat in supporting the President, especially in relation to the West Philippine Sea issue and the controversies surrounding the POGO operations in the country. President Marcos made brave and bold pronouncements during his SONA that were met with widespread approval and applause from the nation. Yet, the Vice-President’s utter silence on these crucial issues raises questions about her loyalty to the country,” Dalipe said.
