MANILA, Philippines — April 23, 2026 — Malacañang has approved Vice President Sara Duterte’s request for a 23-day foreign trip from April 23 to May 15, covering visits to five countries in Europe and Asia. The Palace confirmed that the travel will be undertaken while she is on leave of absence and at no cost to the government.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto announced that Duterte’s itinerary includes the Netherlands, South Korea, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The Office of the President issued the travel authority on April 22, granting her permission to leave the country for nearly a month.

Recto clarified that the approval supersedes any previously issued travel authority for personal trips to the same destinations. He emphasized that the Vice President’s travels will not incur expenses for the government, as they are declared to be at her own cost.

The timing of Duterte’s trip has drawn attention since it coincides with the House of Representatives’ ongoing impeachment proceedings against her. The House committee on justice is expected to conclude hearings soon, with Senate President Vicente Sotto III already setting May 4 as a possible date for convening the impeachment court should the articles of impeachment be transmitted.

Duterte’s planned visit to the Netherlands is particularly notable, as her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, has been detained there since March 2025 over charges related to his war on drugs, now being heard by the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

Her extended absence from the country underscores the political tension surrounding her office, as she faces mounting scrutiny from both Congress and the public. While Malacañang has confirmed the legality of her travel authority, critics argue that her departure during a critical stage of impeachment proceedings raises questions about accountability and leadership.

The Vice President has yet to issue a detailed statement on the purpose of her visits, but her office maintains that the trip is personal and unrelated to official government duties. Whether her absence will affect the pace and outcome of the impeachment process remains to be seen, but her travels are certain to add another layer of complexity to the unfolding political drama.