MALACAÑANG countered Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense of her foreign travels, saying these will not address the country’s problems.
Duterte earlier said her trips abroad were not leisure activities but part of her effort to engage with Filipinos overseas, many of whom, she claimed, were dismayed at the state of the Philippines.
She added that another reason for her travels was to visit her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained at The Hague in the Netherlands.
“Hindi naman ako nag-travel dahil gusto ko mag-travel. Nagta-travel ako, lumalabas ako ng bansa dahil frustrated na ang Filipino communities abroad sa nangyayari dito sa ating bayan,” the Vice President said.
“At pangalawa, bumibisita ako sa tatay ko na nakakulong,” she added.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said these trips were no solution to the country’s challenges.
“Siguro nga mapu-frustrate ‘yung mga kababayan natin abroad dahil ang Pangulo po ay nasa Pilipinas nagtatrabaho, inaayos ‘yung mga problema at lumalaban sa mga anomalya at korapsyon samantalang ang Bise Presidente ay madalas na nasa personal trip,” Castro said in a press briefing.
“Hindi po sagot ang pagbibiyahe para masolusyunan kung may problema man ang bansa,” she added.
