VP Duterte ‘happy’ as Calaguas Island ‘highlighted’ after her visit

A beach on Calaguas Island in Vinzons town, Camarines Norte —File photo/Shiena Barrameda/Inquirer Southern Luzon

MANILA, Philippines — While receiving flak from lawmakers over the timing of her visit at Calaguas in Camarines Norte, Vice President Sara Duterte chose to see the glass as half full, saying her visit in the island highlighted it, which may help promote its tourism industry.

Duterte made the remark on Wednesday as she confirmed that she went to Calaguas Islands.

“I am happy na dahil sa aking pagbisita ko doon, ay na-highlight ang Calaguas Islands (I am happy that, because of my visit there, Calaguas Island was highlighted.),” Duterte said in a press conference.

READ: Solons want apology from VP Duterte over Calaguas beach trip lie

“They need more visitors there kasi karamihan sa kanila they depend on tourism na nangyayari lang tuwing summer kasi medyo malayo ang boat ride (They need more visitors because most of them rely on tourism that only occurs during summertime as it takes a long boat ride to arrive there.),” she added.

Despite this, Duterte maintained that she was not at the beach when the House of Representatives was holding plenary deliberations.

Earlier, Police Brigadier General Andre Dizon, director of Police Regional Office 5, also said that Duterte arrived in Bicol Region on Sept. 20 and was on Calaguas Island from Sept. 22 to 23.

Duterte said the police report is accurate as she left Calaguas Island at 6:32 a.m. on Monday, but she stressed that the House budget hearing was only supposed to start at 10 a.m.

“So, tama din ako, walang budget hearing na nangyayari at 6:32 a.m. (So I am still correct, there is no budget hearing at 6:32 a.m.),” Duterte said.

“Walang congressman na magigising ng 6:32 a.m. para mag-trababo (No congressman wakes up at 6:32 a.m. to work.),” she added.