Vice President Sara Duterte left hundreds of thousands of Filipinos in agony and despair due to the onslaught of super typhoon Carina as she flew with her family to Germany last Wednesday for an apparent vacation.

Her lack of empathy and concern is appalling as Metro Manila and many parts of the country are reeling in a state of emergency.

This is in stark contrast with the Angat Buhay Foundation of former Vice President Leni Robredo which has been spontaneously and continuously aiding the victims even as its immediate help and assistance has inspired volunteerism among citizens.

The sincerity of public leaders must be gauged by their selflessness and support in times of nationwide calamities and emergencies.

It is not an excuse that the trip has long been planned and she has a travel authority. It does not justify her leaving the country at a time of crisis.

She should have allowed the members of her family to go ahead with the trip and she could have just followed after attending personally to the needs of the victims as is expected of a genuine public servant.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN