Vice President Sara Duterte said her family is preparing for the possibility that her father, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (FPRRD), may remain in detention in The Hague, Netherlands, through the Christmas season, following the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) rejection of his request for interim release.
The ICC recently denied FPRRD’s petition for temporary release, according to court documents made public last week.
In a 23-page ruling, Pre-Trial Chamber I said Duterte’s continued detention “remains necessary,” citing reasonable grounds to believe he committed crimes within the jurisdiction of the court. The ruling also emphasized the need to ensure his appearance at trial, prevent any obstruction of the investigation or proceedings, and stop any continued commission of the alleged crimes.
Vice President Duterte said the family had already anticipated the possibility of extended detention.
“Expected na talaga namin ‘yun,” she said when asked if they were preparing for the worst-case scenario.
Although she has not spoken directly to her father recently, Duterte said he remains updated through daily communication with his legal counsel.
“Hindi ko pa kasi siya nakakausap lately pero nakakausap naman niya ‘yung abogado niya araw-araw, so alam ko na meron siyang information na gano’n ‘yung mangyayari. Sa akin lang ngayon, hinahanda ‘yung schedule ng pagbisita ng mga family members,” she said.
The vice president also confirmed that the family is preparing to spend the holidays in The Hague.
“Naka on-deck na si Veronica, si Kitty para mag-Pasko at mag-Bagong Taon doon sa Hague. Magkikita si Veronica at si Mira,” she shared.
When asked whether a formal manifestation from the Philippine government supporting her father’s release could influence the ICC’s decision, Duterte said she could not say for certain—but expressed appreciation for the Senate’s recent action.
“Hindi ko alam, hindi ko po masabi kung positive ba ‘yun para sa kaso ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte kung ang gobyerno ng Pilipinas ang magsabi na i-release siya pabalik dito sa Pilipinas or kahit saan man,” she said.
“Pero sa paniwala ko naman, umaabot lahat ng mga ginagawa ng Philippine government doon sa ICC. Tulad na lang ng sabi ko, nagpapasalamat kami—pamilya—sa Senate Resolution na nagsasabi na bigyan ng house arrest si dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte for humanitarian considerations. At totoo din naman kasi talaga, dahil this is a fragile and ailing 80-year-old man. Hindi niya gawa-gawa ‘yung kanyang sakit. Nakikita talaga sa mga laboratory tests. Nakikita ng mga doctor,” she added.
Despite growing calls for political leaders to intervene, Duterte stood firm in saying she has no plans to personally appeal to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on her father’s behalf.
“At trabaho niya ‘yun in a sense na inaprubahan niya na—na hindi niya dapat ginawa bilang isang pangulo. Kung ano man ‘yung problema—legal problem—ni dating Pangulong Duterte ngayon, ay problema na ‘yun niya at syempre ng pamilya namin dahil ama namin siya. Pero for me, to go to him and request him on behalf of former President Duterte? No. Because there’s no going back sa ginawa nila na rendition,” she said.
When asked whether the potential host country for FPRRD’s interim release is in Europe, the vice president declined to provide specifics but confirmed that discussions are ongoing.
