OVP vexed by chopper issue

Lawyers of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte are looking into the possibility of filing criminal charges against people on social media who have claimed she's been using the presidential helicopter to travel from Manila to her hometown Davao City every day.

Duterte's spokesperson Reynold Munsayac said in a video message to reporters that they are studying if they (the posts) would "qualify as criminal cases because many people were deceived by such social media posts."

The social media posts stemmed from Duterte's own tweet wishing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. a happy birthday.

In that tweet, Duterte wrote: "Thank you, PBB and your 250th PAW (Presidential Air Wing) for ensuring that wherever I may be found in the country during the day, I am home in time to tuck my children to bed. Thank you for putting a premium on the desire of a working mother to be present in her children's lives."

Munsayac stressed that Duterte doesn't use government resources for personal purposes.

"If she (Duterte) uses a helicopter, it is for official functions. And because of the access to that vehicle, she was able to fulfill her obligations efficiently within the day. That's why she can come home at night," he said.

"That's all she's thankful for. She doesn't use the chopper for personal use," Munsayac added.

Duterte herself sought to put her post in its proper context.

"I believe that a person who can conjure a lie from an appreciation post — that a helicopter is being used to go home every day, even giving in to the itch of maliciously suggesting that it is for personal use — should seriously reflect on why he had to lie," Duterte said in a message.

"I think that if this person can recognize his anger, he will be able to overcome his bitter and spiteful self. Hopefully, he becomes a better version of himself — despite the cycle of hate that has enslaved him," she added.

Duterte said she thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. "who has shown great concern for a working mother like her and how the Chief Executive provided his all-out support for his Vice President to be able to move around quickly and accomplish work efficiently."

She also expressed her appreciation to the President's team, who works long hours, tirelessly hopping from one island province to another to reach our fellow Filipinos.

Philippine Air Force spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo, meanwhile, said that the Vice President is authorized to use PAF assets, including those assigned to the 250th PAW of the Presidential Security Group.

Castillo said the 250th PAW is used for the movements of the President, the first family, visiting heads of other countries, as well as local and foreign very important persons. Considered as local VIPs are high-ranking government officials like VP Duterte, said the PAF officer.

"Considering that our VP is the second highest leader of the land, it is duly appropriate that we support the movements of our Vice President, especially if she is acting or performing her mandate on behalf of the President," Castillo said.

She then debunked the online claims that Duterte has been using the 250th PAW for her daily personal engagements.

"We can attest to that, that our helicopters are not being used every day," Castillo said, explaining that using a chopper from Manila to Davao and vice versa would take half a day of flying with numerous stopovers.

As a former helicopter pilot herself, Castillo said it is not "rational and practical" to use the presidential helicopters in traversing Manila to Davao City.

Likewise, a process must be undertaken before the utilization of any PAF aircraft is allowed, she added.

In the case of Duterte, Castillo explained that the Office of the Vice President must send a request to the Office of the President, through the presidential security group.

Following the request, the PSG will issue a directive to the PAF's presidential airlift wing, indicating that the aircraft is usable upon the OP's approval.

"That's the only time that our aircraft can be used," Castillo said.