VP in Kuwait amid questions over frequent travels

Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday visited Kuwait to meet with overseas Filipinos as her office defended her frequent foreign travels amid growing scrutiny from Malacañang and Congress.

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In a statement, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) said on Saturday, August 16, that Duterte’s trip was part of her mandate to advocate for the welfare of Filipinos abroad.

“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,” the statement read.

The OVP said that her official engagements comply with government regulations, saying that these are “lawful and aligned with her responsibilities in public service.”

“No public funds are used for all her travels overseas,” it added.

After her Kuwait visit, the vice president is expected to continue working on the release of former president Rodrigo Duterte, who was “forcibly taken from Philippine soil,” according to the statement.