Vice President Sara Duterte returned to The Hague, Netherlands, to visit her detained father — former President Rodrigo Duterte — where they discussed politics and family matters, following the International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber’s denial of his interim release plea.
In an exchange with supporters in The Hague on Monday, Dec. 1, the Vice President said that she had visited with her father, who has been detained at the ICC’s facility since March.
“Natanggap n’ya lahat daw ng messages nyo, tanggap rin nya ang mga prayers ninyo,” she shared.
Duterte herself was bundled in winter clothes and was visibly cold during a talk with her family’s supporters.
The Vice President also called the visit “a good day.”
“Maganda ‘yung usapan namin sa pulitika. May konting usapan about sa pamilya pero karamihan sa politics at kung ano ‘yung nangyayari sa bayan,” she added.
Her father’s interim release application was denied unanimously last Friday, Nov. 28.
The ICC’s Appeals Chamber is the final arbiter of rulings made by the pre-trial chambers.
In its denial of the defense’s appeal, the Chamber noted the risk of the former leader evading and endangering the pre-trial proceedings because of the vast network of support he enjoys.
The ICC cited Duterte’s win as Davao City mayor in the recently concluded May 2025 polls as one of the reasons for its denial of all three grounds filed by the defense.
The defense team is still waiting for the decision on its appeal to overturn the pre-trial chamber’s affirmation of jurisdiction on Duterte’s case, as well as the medical assessment on the ex-leader’s fitness to stand trial.
A medical report is expected to be submitted by a panel of experts on Dec. 5.
Duterte’s lawyers claim that he is unfit to stand trial, which led to the suspension of his Sept. 23 confirmation of charges hearing.
A petition to adjourn all legal proceedings based on his medical condition was also filed by the defense team. (Raymund Antonio)
