DAVAO CITY – Vice President Sara Z. Duterte dismissed speculations on Monday, May 12, that national or political issues were discussed during their private family gathering on Mother’s Day.
The Vice President said the occasion was purely familial.
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President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City on March 8, 2021. RICHARD MADELO/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte.
“We did not discuss any national issues. We met Congressman Pulong (Paolo Duterte), but he’s only at our mother’s house for a short time because his family had their own celebration with his wife (January),” Vice President Duterte said.
The Vice President said her short conversation with her older brother centered only on updates regarding their father, former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who is currently facing proceedings at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
“He gave me an update about what happened during his visit to the Hague. He also told me that he endorsed matters to our uncle, who will be visiting the former President soon to check on any changes in the system since my last visit there,” she said.
Vice President Duterte expressed concern over the lack of support being provided to their father while inside the detention facility of the ICC. She said she is not worried about former President Duterte’s food and medication, only when he starts moving.
“I’m not worried about his medications because there’s a nurse there. We also don’t have issues with his food since his doctors are monitoring his intake. It is just that no one is there to aid him when he moves around the facility,” Vice President Duterte said.
She said she also understands that their father’s doctors and nurses are encouraging him to be independent because they want him to move and use his muscles for his own good. She added that this and their mother are what they talked about at the event.
Vice President Duterte said that she was unable to meet her younger brother, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, since she also left early due to the heat on Sunday, which made her decide to go home to take some rest early.
The Vice President confirmed her return to The Hague on May 31, following her promise to her parents, Rody and Elizabeth, that she would celebrate her birthday with them. An “ICC Send Him Home Rally” will also be held on the same day.