VP Sara Duterte on overseas family trip amid Typhoon Carina

On Thursday, Vice President Sara Duterte announced that she and her family are on a personal overseas trip, which coincided with Typhoon Carina affecting Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon.

A photo of Vice President Duterte wearing a hoodie at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 went viral on social media on Wednesday, sparking speculation about the reasons for her travel during a typhoon.

Despite receiving necessary approvals from the Office of the President dated July 9, 2024, Duterte emphasized that the OVP's Disaster Operations Center remains prepared to assist families affected by calamities and has pre-positioned relief goods for approximately 6,700 families in Quezon City.

The OVP did not disclose the purpose or destination of the trip but a source suggested it might be related to an event in Germany.

Critics like Albay Representative Edcel Lagman questioned Duterte's timing, describing her lack of empathy and concern as 'appalling' during a state of emergency.