House "Young Guns" bloc members have called out Vice President Sara Duterte over her alleged "pattern" of being abroad whenever there’s a local disaster, like the most recent case of typhoons and floods.

La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V and Zambales 1st district Rep. Jay Khonghun questioned the Vice President’s repeated absences during these national emergencies, and went as far as to say that her decision to leave the country reflected "a disturbing lack of leadership and compassion".

“Nasaan ang Pangalawang Pangulo ng Republika sa oras na pinaka-kailangan siya ng sambayanang Pilipino? Nasa ibang bansa. Na naman (Where is the Vice President of the Republic at the time the Filipino people need her most? Abroad. Again),” Ortega said.

“Habang inililikas ang mga pamilya, winawasak ang mga tahanan at abala ang mga rescuer sa pagsagip ng buhay, ang Pangalawang Pangulo ay wala at nasa ibang bansa para sa pansariling dahilan,” he added.

(While families are being evacuated, homes are being destroyed, and rescuers are busy saving lives, the Vice President is absent and overseas for personal reasons.)

The Vice President was reportedly at The Hague in the Netherlands, where her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, is detained and facing charges for crimes against humanity in connection with his administration’s bloody war on drugs, just as heavy rains caused widespread flooding and power outages across Luzon.

Ortega noted that this was not an isolated incident, as he recalled how in July 2024, Vice President Duterte also flew to Germany with her family for a “personal trip” to reportedly attend a Taylor Swift concert while Typhoon "Carina" was wreaking havoc back home.

“Once is unfortunate. Twice is a pattern. There is something fundamentally wrong when a high-ranking official chooses to leave the country every time disaster strikes,” Ortega said.

“This is about priorities. The Vice President should put the country first, especially in times of crisis. The pattern of neglect is unacceptable," added Khonghun, as he stressed that public officials must be present during times of national crisis.

“Ang tanong namin: Nasaan ka, Vice President? Habang binabaha ang ating mga kababayan at nangangailangan ng tulong, nasaan ka? (Our question is: Where are you, Vice President? While our fellow citizens are flooded and in need of help, where are you?)” he asked.

“Nasa The Hague ka para sa personal na dahilan habang ang mga Pilipino ay nakikipaglaban sa ulan, baha at kawalan ng kuryente. Malinaw ang pagkukulang (You're in The Hague for personal reasons while Filipinos battle rain, floods, and power outages. The failure is clear),” noted Khonghun.

He said the Vice President’s repeated absences erode public trust and diminish the dignity of the office she holds.

“This is not about politics. This is about character. Public office is public trust, and trust is built through presence, compassion and action. If you are not there when the people need you most, then what is your purpose?” Khonghun pointed out.

The two recently reelected solons called on the Office of the Vice President (OVP) to explain the timing, purpose and funding of Duterte’s overseas trip and stop hiding behind personal excuses.

“Public service requires sacrifice. You cannot pick and choose when to serve. The Filipino people are watching, and they are taking note of who shows up and who disappears,” Ortega said.