Duterte on ‘personal trip’ as PH faces calamity

Metro Manila, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed on Thursday that she is with family on a “personal trip” abroad, even as large parts of the country faced the effects of Typhoon Carina.

In a statement, the vice president said the Office of the President approved her travel on July 9.

“We thank the public for respecting the privacy of the other members of the family,” the statement read.

Duterte said the timing of her trip, which coincided with the ‘Carina,’ is “unfortunate.”

Talk about Duterte’s whereabouts surfaced after a photo of her at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAI) went viral on Wednesday. She was reportedly headed to Germany with her family.

Duterte’s office said it is ready to help storm victims. It said its disaster operations center has provided relief bags to over 300 families in Quezon City. - Lance Mejico