Despite not being able to spend this year’s Father’s Day together, Vice President Sara Duterte wished that her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, is “happy and proud” of his children.

In celebration of Father’s Day on Sunday, June 15, the Vice President earlier gave her Father’s Day message to the detained former president during an interview in The Hague, Netherlands, where she spent her birthday last May 31.

“Yes, I wish PRRD a very happy Father’s Day and I wish that he feels happy and proud of his children and we thank him for his generosity to us,” she said.

The younger Duterte, who disclosed in past interviews that her father had always been busy with his work and could rarely spend time with them, also now thank him for being a regular dad.

“We thank him for the time that we have with him in the detention center where he is just a regular, normal human being and not the mayor or the president,” she added.

In a media interview in Davao City, the Vice President also thanked her father's significant role of providing her education.

Napakalaki ng investment niya sa aking edukasyon at yun ay binabalik ko din ang aking malalaking pasasalamat kay dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte (He had a big investment to my education and I send my deepest gratitude to former president Rodrigo Duterte), she said.

In a separate Father’s Day message released by the Office of the Vice President (OVP), the younger Duterte lauded all fathers and father figures for their sacrifices, hard work, and love.

“Maraming salamat sa inyong katatagan na siyang pundasyon na nagbibigay ng seguridad, katiwasayan, at daan para maging responsable, disiplinado, at produktibong indibidwal ang mga anak (Thank you for your resiliency that is the foundation that gives security, order, and way for the children to grow up as responsible, disciplined, and productive individuals),” she said.

“Ang inyong pagsisikap ay nagpapaalala sa amin ng inyong dalamhati at pagmamahal sa pamilya. At ito rin ang nagiging magandang halimbawa na nagbibigay ng inspirasyon sa mga kabataan (Your sacrifices remind us of your grief and love for family. It also becomes a great example to inspire our youth),” she added.

The official then thanked all the fathers for their resiliency and guidance.

“Sa bawat ama na patuloy na lumalaban, naglilingkod, at walang pagod na itinataguyod ang pamilya sa kabila ng hirap — hangad ko ang inyong tagumpay (For every father that continues to fight, serve, and tirelessly provide for their families despite the hardship — I wish you success),” the Vice President said.