The Office of the Vice President (OVP) refuted on Wednesday accusations and remarks circulating online about Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s alleged daily use of a presidential chopper to and from her hometown of Davao City.
In a Viber message, OVP Spokesperson Reynold Munsayac debunked the matter, labeling it as fake news, following the Vice President’s birthday greeting to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday posted on her official Facebook account.
“That’s fake news, the claim saying she’s using a chopper bound to Davao City on a daily basis. VP Sara Duterte now lives in Manila, with her family, even her kids are studying here,” Munsayac said.
The allegations surfaced online after Duterte thanked the chief executive for allowing her to fulfill both her official and maternal duties by lending her a 250th Presidential Airlift Wing (PAW).
The picture in her FB post showed Duterte-Carpio smiling while seated beside the Bell helicopter with the seal of the Office of the President.
“Thank you, PBB, and your 250th PAW (presidential airlift wing) for ensuring that wherever I may be found in the country during the day, I am home in time to tuck my children to bed. Thank you for putting a premium on the desire of a working mother to be present in her children’s lives,” the VP said in her greeting to Mr. Marcos.
Netizens were quick to call out Duterte-Carpio, with some saying she should instead be thanking taxpayers for sponsoring her helicopter trips.
But Munsayac clarified the Vice President only uses the aircraft for official travels.
“(Her team) are using land vehicles daily. The chopper is only used when needed for official work and functions, depending on the place and urgency of schedule,” he added.
The OVP spokesman also insisted that Duterte is keen to work efficiently, as well as “protective of government resources” at all times.
The Vice President, meanwhile, expressed her gratitude to lawmakers during the House budget deliberation for the OVP, which only took less than 15 minutes.
The office’s proposed P2.92-billion budget for 2023 was thrice bigger than last year’s approved fund and is expected to be primarily allocated for good governance, including the provision of basic services.
“Thank you for your continued support of the budget and all the programs, activities, and projects of the Office of the Vice President,” the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte said.
She also urged lawmakers to coordinate with the OVP for possible program collaborations in various legislative districts.
“We continue to support as well the legislative districts of our honorable members of the House of Representatives with all the meager projects of the Office of the Vice President… If there is anything that we can do to help you as an office in your respective mandates, in your respective legislative districts and party lists, please do let us know,” she added.
Currently, the OVP has programs like medical and burial assistance, the OVP Libreng Sakay, and the pagbaBAGo campaign. Other projects to be launched include Peace 911 and MagNegosyo ‘Ta Day.
Earlier, Munsayac assured the public that the OVP will remain “transparent” in updating the public about its budget allocations and utilization, including that of its P500-million confidential fund.