OVP mum on Duterte’s whereabouts, assures she’s working

Metro Manila, Philippines - Vice President Sara Duterte’s office refused to disclose her whereabouts on Wednesday, Aug. 6, but assured that she continues to perform her duties as the second highest official despite her physical absence.

OVP spokesperson Ruth Castelo, on Wednesday, Aug. 6, did not provide definite details on Duterte’s whereabouts on the day of expected Senate debates on the fate of the impeachment trial.

“I will get back to you on that,” when asked if Duterte is in the country now.

She, however, assured that Duterte remains involved in the office's programs and operations.

“The Vice President is as involved as she started…up to now her involvement is the same, even more,” she said. “She may not be here physically, hindi lang natin nakikita, pero ‘yung trabaho na kailangan niya gawin for the office is still being done. Ano lang, minsan virtual, minsan ghost.”

[Translation: She may not be here physically—we just don’t see her—but the work she needs to do for the office is still getting done. Sometimes it's virtual, sometimes ghost-like.]

The Palace has repeatedly slammed Duterte for her frequent overseas trips.

In July, the vice president went to the Hague, Netherlands to visit her detained father and former President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court. She also held an engagement with overseas Filipino workers in South Korea.