'#NasaanAngBisePresidente' trends as Sara Duterte, family fly to Germany amid crisis
Vice President Sara Duterte and her family left the country for Germany on Wednesday, July 24, reports said.
A photo of Duterte at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in a hoodie and face mask is circulating online. She and her family—mother Elizabeth Zimmerman, husband Mans Carpio, and three children—left on an Emirates flight bound for Dubai to Munich, Germany on Wednesday, the same day the Philippines experienced the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Carina and monsoon rains.
However, a representative from the Office of the Vice President said that the trip was not a last-minute decision, it was scheduled in advance.
“The trip to Germany was long planned and booked. It was not a spur-of-the-moment decision to take a vacation. Instead, the family took what was planned and booked before,” they said.
The OVP also issued a statement on Thursday, July 25, saying Duterte was given "necessary approvals" by the Office of the President and that the timing of her trip was “unfortunate.
"The Vice President is on a personal trip with her family overseas. Her departure received the necessary approvals, as evidenced by the travel authority issued by the Office of the President dated 09 July 2024," it said.
"We thank the public for respecting the privacy of the other members of the family. The timing of the trip coinciding with Typhoon Carina is unfortunate. Nonetheless, the Disaster Operations Center of the OVP, institutionalized by the Vice President, is always ready to assist families affected by calamities," the statement read.
'Why couldn't she even postpone her trip?'
A number of social media users responded to the Philippine STAR's post and offered sarcastic commentary regarding the reasons behind Duterte's travel. The hashtag #NasaanAngBisePresidente also trended on X.
"Kaya nga Designated Survivor kapag may mga ganyang floods or sakuna dapat safe sya. Best VP of the UNIVERSE....ang tunay na may malasakit sa mga Pilipino," one user said.
"Sobrang proud kami ganyan ang VP namin lumalayo pag kailangan sya," another one said.
Some speculated that Duterte, a Swiftie, is headed to Germany to attend Taylor Swift's "The Eras Tour" concert on July 27 in Munich.
"Pwede naman mag-rebook kung may malasakit sa bansa. Unless Swiftie talaga sya," said another user.
"If Sara had the gall to appoint herself 'designated survivor', why couldn't she even postpone her trip to Germany while the country grapples with the devastating effects of Supertyphoon Carina? Ito ba ang ipapalit nyo sa pangulo?" said one more on X.
OVP extends help
Meanwhile, the OVP distributed aid to those affected by the typhoon, sharing photos on its Facebook page.
"Namahagi ang Office of the Vice President (OVP) Kalusugan Food Truck ng mainit na makakain sa higit 240 disaster responders na kinabibilangan ng Barangay rescuers, pulis, barangay tanod at iba pang naapektuhan ng pagbaha sa Manresa Covered Court, Barangay Manresa, Quezon City," it said.
Supporters of the vice president expressed their appreciation in the comments section.
"Mam khit ano pong paninira or power tripping ginagawa. Sayo just keep on going ... u're still doing a great job and that's commendable," one said.
Another Facebook user wrote: "Ganyan mag trabaho ang isang [D]uterte hindi nya kailangan mag monitor o lumusong sa baha maipakita lang na may ginagawa siya.. Pero ang mga tao nya ay siguradong kikilos kahit hindi na utusan."
The Vice President did not watch the live broadcast of President Marcos’ third State of the Nation Address on July 22.
On July 11, Duterte said she would not attend the SONA and appointed herself a “designated survivor,” a remark construed as a threat by some lawmakers.
In the US, the designated survivor role is assigned to a Cabinet official who must sit out the president’s State of the Union Address to ensure continuity of leadership in case the president and all constitutional successors are killed or incapacitated in a terrorist attack or catastrophic event.
Marbil said they have reassigned around 640 police officers to Metro Manila, 225 of which were from the PSPG. (With reports from Rudy Santos)