Palace Official Rejects VP Sara Duterte Kuwait Travel Claims
MANILA, Philippines — Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro firmly denied reports about Vice President Sara Duterte traveling to Kuwait without proper travel authorization. Castro clarified the situation in a recent interview, stressing that there was no confirmation of Duterte’s trip to Kuwait at the time.
“Definitely, we have no mention of her traveling to Kuwait,” Castro said in Filipino during the interview on Saturday, addressing the rumors head-on. She emphasized that her earlier responses only reflected a lack of information regarding the vice president’s whereabouts when questioned.
Clarifying Misunderstandings About Travel Authority
Castro explained, “We were only asked last Saturday before we went to India whether the vice president would be traveling to Kuwait. We didn’t say anything because we had no confirmation — we simply didn’t know.” She urged those spreading questions about the vice president’s trip to act responsibly to avoid creating fake news.
“I hope those who are asking the vice president will also be responsible so that the vice president doesn’t become a source of fake news because she answers without listening to what we said,” Castro added.
VP Duterte Denies Unauthorized Kuwait Trip
Earlier, Vice President Duterte denied any unauthorized travel to Kuwait. In an interview in Davao on Thursday, she stated she had not watched the Palace briefing but responded to questions claiming the Office of the President was allegedly fabricating stories about her supposed foreign trip.
“There is no truth that I went to Kuwait without a travel authority,” Duterte said, accusing the Office of the President of “political scapegoating.”
In response, Castro emphasized that the vice president should first listen to the official briefing before making such accusations. “Although she said in her interview that she didn’t see or hear anything we said, she still made negative accusations against the Office of the President and said that we were making up a story,” Castro noted.
Travel Authority Status and Government Stance
When asked if there was information about Duterte requesting travel authority for Kuwait, Castro laughed and replied, “Just wait and see. Wait and see, ask if she will be traveling this August. Ask the Office of the Vice President.”
She also stated the government remains open to issuing travel authority if the vice president plans future trips.
“Why not issue a travel authority? We will say it again, if the travel authority is not issued, she will create a story saying that this government is a dictator because her freedom of movement is being restricted,” Castro said. “So if she plans to travel to different countries again, that is up to her,” she added.
For more news and updates on Palace press officer Claire Castro, visit Filipinokami.com.
