VICE President Sara Duterte denied using taxpayers’ money to fund her recent overseas travels, saying her trips were not for leisure and were paid for out of her own pocket.
“Kapag personal [trip], hindi ako gumagamit ng pera ng bayan,” Duterte said in a media interview. “Hindi ibig sabihin na personal na lakad ‘yan, holiday o pamamasyal ‘yan.”
The Vice President was responding to criticisms over her frequent international travels, which include at least five trips during the first half of 2025. She maintained that she continues to work even while on personal travel, and clarified that only official trips are funded by government.
“Walang ginamit na pera ng gobyerno sa lakad na ito pero nagtatrabaho pa rin ako,” she said. “Sa official [trip], ginamit namin ang pera ng gobyerno para sa lakad na ‘yon.”
Duterte visited The Hague, Netherlands in March and again in late May, following the turnover of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, to the International Criminal Court (ICC). She also traveled to Qatar, Malaysia, and Australia in recent months to attend rallies calling for her father’s release. She claimed the gatherings were organized and funded by overseas supporters, while her airfare and accommodations were personally shouldered.
Asked whether some of her destinations were selected based on the potential transfer sites should the ICC approve her father’s request for interim release, Duterte replied: “Kung hindi sila bobo, maiintindihan nila ‘yung ginagawa ko. Bobo sila kaya hindi nila naiintindihan.”
Duterte confirmed plans to travel to Kuwait on August 8 for another gathering of supporters, and said a separate trip to South Korea is also being finalized.
