Statement of OVP on Kuwait Trip of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte
OVP – The Office of Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed her Kuwait trip but stressed that she is not using public funds in all her travels.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte recently earned different comments when she claimed that her travels abroad are because of “frustrated” Filipino communities in other countries. According to her, many Pinoys abroad are already frustrated with what is happening here in the Philippines.
This year, Vice Pres. Duterte has been to several countries abroad. Malacañang previously pointed out that the Vice President has been to four (4) countries in less than a month after the 2025 Midterm Elections — Qatar, Netherlands, Malaysia, and Australia.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte met with the Duterte supporters in Qatar and Australia. In Malaysia, together with senators Robin Padilla and Imee Marcos, they attended a Philippine Independence Day celebration. Her frequent trips to The Hague, Netherlands is for visitations to her father, former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who is currently detained under the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Previously, during the set date for the Senate to decide on the impeachment case against her, there were questions as to where is Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. Malacañang claimed that they have no information of her whereabouts but they got reports that she is set to go to Kuwait. However, according to the Palace, they did not receive a request for a travel authority.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte denied going to Kuwait without a travel authority and called on the Palace not to spread misinformation. Recently, the OVP confirmed that the Vice President left for Kuwait yesterday but stressed that the trip is official and complies with the existing rules and regulations in the country.
Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the OVP also claimed that the trip of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte to Kuwait is part of her mandate. The Vice President will attend a Filipino gathering to talk about the concerns of the Pinoys there.
“As part of the Vice President’s mandate to represent and advocate for the welfare of all Filipinos, including those overseas, it is essential that she remains actively engaged with the Filipino migrant communities wherever they may be,” Duterte’s office said.
The OVP asserted that the travel of the Vice President to Kuwait is official and the office has ensured that her presence abroad is not against the law and is aligned with her responsibilities in public service. Based on the report, Duterte’s office also stressed that no government funds were utilized in “all” her overseas trips.
“In addition, no public funds are used for all her travels overseas, the OVP said.
Previously, Malacañang hit back at Vice Pres. Sara Duterte on her claim that she usually travels abroad because of “frustrated” Filipino communities due to what is happening in the country now.