VP Duterte working remotely, says OVP

Vice President Sara Duterte is working despite not being seen by the public, her spokesperson said Wednesday.

In a briefing at the Office of the Vice President (OVP), spokesperson Ruth Castelo said Duterte continues to work and give instructions remotely.

“She may not be here physically, we just don’t see her, but the work she needs to do for the office is still being done,” Castelo said. “Sometimes it’s virtual, sometimes it’s ghost.”

Castelo said the Vice President’s work has “never diminished.” She remains involved in day-to-day tasks, including the approval of press releases and social media posts.

“The instructions come directly from the Vice President herself,” Castelo said.

The spokesperson also addressed the recent decline in the performance rating of Duterte in recent surveys.

“We respect the surveys regardless of the source,” Castelo said. “Whether it is true or not, we have resolved to do better. The Vice President herself has also resolved to work even harder.”

The Office of the President, however, appeared to be clueless as to the actions of Duterte.

In a briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Office of the Executive Secretary had no record of a travel authority issued to Duterte.

“At this time, we do not have any information,” Castro said. “The latest travel authority granted to her was for 5 July to 28 July,” when Duterte traveled to the Netherlands and South Korea.

Castro said there were reports that Duterte plans to travel to Kuwait on 8 August, but “as we speak, the Vice President has not yet filed a request for a travel authority for the trip.”