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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Totally irresponsible': Abante flabbergasted as VP Duterte leaves country amid impeachment trial

'Totally irresponsible': Abante flabbergasted as VP Duterte leaves country amid impeachment trial

Published Jul 22, 2026 08:46 pm

At A Glance

  • Rep. Benny Abante slams Vice President Sara Duterte's overseas trip during her impeachment trial, calling it "highly irresponsible" and another betrayal of public trust.
  • House quad-committee chair says Duterte's travel abroad is not part of her mandate and mocks the impeachment court, stressing that officials facing trial must uphold accountability.
  • OVP itinerary covers Qatar, UK, and the Netherlands, with Abante insisting that even if private funds are used, the public has the right to know the source of her travel expenses.
Vice President Sara Duterte (left), Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr. (Facebook)
Vice President Sara Duterte (left), Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr. (Facebook)


Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr. has called "highly irresponsible" the decision of Vice President Sara Duterte to fly overseas in the middle of her Senate impeachment trial.
Abante, the House quad-committee (quad-comm) v2.0 overall chairman, went as far to say that Duterte’s act constituted another instance of betrayal of public trust.
Betrayal of public trust is a ground for impeachment, and Duterte has been on trial since July 6 for such ground, and more.
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) earlier announced that Duterte would be out of the country from July 16 to 31 for a trip covering Qatar, the United Kingdom (UK) and the Netherlands.
"That constitutes betrayal of public trust. She’s highly irresponsible as VP,” said Abante, also a pastor-preacher.
"The VP traveling abroad is not part of her mandate as VP. That’s junket! It only means she does care about her impeachment trial and is making a mockery of the impeachment court," he added.
The veterans solon from Manila said Duterte’s actions "violated the real intent of the Constitution and that continues betrayal of public trust".
"A totally irresponsible VP,” Abante further said.
According to the OVP, the itinerary includes official engagements with overseas Filipinos as well as personal activities. It also said no government funds would be spent on the trip.
"Whether it be she’s not spending public money and using her private funds, the people have the right to know where she’s getting her travel expenses,” said Abante, who earlier this year endorsed one of four verified impeachment complaints against Duterte.
He says public officials, particularly those facing impeachment, are expected to uphold the highest standards of accountability and conduct that reinforces, rather than diminishes, public confidence in constitutional institutions.
“The impeachment process is a constitutional mechanism for accountability. Public officials should demonstrate respect for that process through their actions, especially while the proceedings are ongoing,” he said.
Duterte has yet to personally attend the trial, although she is amply represented by her defense team.

Related Tags

Impeachment Sara Duterte Benny Abante TRIP Netherlands OVP betrayal of public trust
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