Vice President Sara Duterte visited her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, in detention at the ICC. She reported he appeared well but missed Filipino food. Sara emphasized her understanding of his desire for her to return home. Legal challenges regarding his arrest and potential jurisdiction issues were also discussed. Sara expressed concerns over searches of their family homes and conveyed a message of resilience to their supporters.
Vice President Sara Duterte recently visited her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained and facing charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC). During their meeting, she found him in good spirits, expressing that he appeared well-rested but missed Filipino cuisine, especially inun-unan, which he referred to as a particular craving.
Sara revealed that her father urged her to return to the Philippines, stating, “Do not leave the country. Do not leave the Philippines.” She assured him that she understood his concerns and clarified that her presence in the Netherlands was necessary due to her Schengen visa and legal expertise. She mentioned that she is working on forming a legal team to assist him and emphasized the importance of communication with the facility’s medical staff regarding any health issues.
Concerns regarding the jurisdiction of the ICC have arisen due to the circumstances surrounding Duterte’s arrest. Lawyer Harry Roque indicated that the legal team is pursuing a ruling on whether Duterte’s arrest was conducted legally, asserting, “The illegality of the arrest should divest the courts of its jurisdiction.” They plan to discuss jurisdiction ahead of the confirmation of charges hearing scheduled for September 23.
Vice President Duterte expressed her belief that her father’s capture was akin to kidnapping, stating, “If you talk to lawyers, they call it extraordinary rendition, but for a family member like me that’s kidnapping.” Furthermore, she affirmed that she would defer to her father’s legal team regarding a potential request for interim release from the ICC.
In response to reports of potential searches of their family properties, Sara advised her siblings to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement, highlighting the possibility of planted evidence during investigations. The Police Regional Office 11 has denied any intentions to raid former President Duterte’s residence in Davao City. Sara shared with supporters that the family’s current challenges have strengthened her, remarking, “I think it’s preparing me for something bigger than what is happening right now.” She also invited them to a meet and greet on March 23, days before her father’s 80th birthday, and conveyed a message from him, urging them to be patient as “there will be a day of reckoning for all.”
The recent visit of Vice President Sara Duterte to her father highlights both her familial ties and the complexities of the legal proceedings surrounding him. As she navigates the challenges posed by his detention and the ICC charges, she remains committed to supporting her father while addressing the pressing legal and personal implications of his situation. Her reflections on their meeting illustrate both concern and resilience in the face of adversity.
Original Source: www.gmanetwork.com
