OVP Uncertainty on Vice President Sara Duterte’s Whereabouts
MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Vice President (OVP) expressed uncertainty about the current location of Vice President Sara Duterte amid pressing political developments. Questions about her whereabouts surfaced as the Senate impeachment court prepares to hear her impeachment case, following a Supreme Court ruling that declared the case “unconstitutional.”
During a recent press conference, OVP spokesperson Ruth Castelo was asked to confirm where Duterte was at that moment. Castelo initially replied that the information needed verification and promised to update the media before the briefing ended.
However, when pressed further, Castelo coyly suggested that Duterte might simply be in her office. “Who knows, she can just be right in the office—a few steps away,” she said, again assuring reporters she would provide more details before concluding the conference. Unfortunately, the briefing ended without any confirmation.
Background on Duterte’s Recent Activities
It’s worth recalling that Vice President Duterte returned to the country on July 28, coinciding with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address, which she notably skipped. Her arrival followed a trip to South Korea.
From July 29 to 31, Duterte was in Marinduque overseeing disaster relief operations led by her office. These activities marked her last publicly known engagements before the current uncertainty about her location.
According to sources, Duterte has plans to travel to Kuwait on August 8, adding another layer of interest in her immediate whereabouts.
OVP’s Response Amid Political Pressure
The Office of the Vice President’s inability to confirm Duterte’s location comes at a critical moment. The upcoming Senate impeachment proceedings and the Supreme Court’s recent decision have intensified public and media attention on her.
Local leaders noted that such ambiguity fuels speculation and concern, especially given the high stakes involved in Duterte’s political future. Meanwhile, the OVP maintains a cautious approach, choosing to verify information before making official disclosures.
“We’ll get back to you on that,” Castelo reiterated during the press conference, highlighting the office’s reluctance to provide premature details.
For more news and updates on Vice President Sara Duterte, visit Filipinokami.com.
