Screengrab from OVP

Despite her notable absence from the public eye in recent months, Vice President Sara Duterte remains actively engaged in the work of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), according to her spokesperson, Atty. Ruth Castelo.

In a recent statement, Castelo explained that while the Vice President may not always be physically present in the office, she continues to fulfill her responsibilities—sometimes through virtual means.

“She may not be here physically, hindi lang natin nakikita, pero ‘yung trabaho na kailangan niyang gawin for the office is still being done,” Castelo emphasized. “Minsan virtual, minsan ghost.”

Castelo said Duterte’s involvement in the daily operations of the OVP remains consistent and deliberate. She receives and reviews all reports related to the agency’s programs, provides specific feedback on fund allocations, and even goes over public communications—including social media posts and press releases—before they are published.

“She checks whether the numbers are accurate and compares them with her own records. That’s how detailed and involved she is,” Castelo added.

Now three years into her term, Duterte reportedly has a deeper understanding of the country’s needs, especially after engaging with people whose situations she described as eye-opening. “Mas marami siyang nakikita, mas marami siyang na-eencounter na pangangailangan na minsan ngayon lang natin nalaman na meron pala,” Castelo said.

The OVP assured the public that despite criticisms regarding Duterte’s visibility, her role remains active behind the scenes.
“She is hands-on with everything,” Castelo reiterated, underscoring that whether done in person or from a distance, the Vice President continues to steer the office’s efforts.

As public scrutiny over Duterte’s physical absence continues, her office stands by the message that visibility is not the only measure of leadership.