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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider VP Sara back in The Hague after father's ICC appeal denied

VP Sara back in The Hague after father's ICC appeal denied

Published Dec 2, 2025 09:13 am  |  Updated Dec 2, 2025 02:19 pm
Vice President Sara Duterte with Filipino supporters of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, in The Hague (Photo from Mailyn Lerios via Facebook)
Vice President Sara Duterte with Filipino supporters of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, in The Hague (Photo from Mailyn Lerios via Facebook)
Vice President Sara Duterte has returned to The Hague, Netherlands after former president Rodrigo Duterte’s interim release plea was denied by the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In an exchange with supporters in The Hague on Monday, Dec. 1, the Vice President said that she has visited with her father, who had been detained at the ICC’s facility since March.
“Natanggap niya daw lahat ng messages nyo, natanggap niya rin ang mga prayers ninyo (He said he receives all your messages, he knows all about your prayers), and do not daw, parang sacrifice your health, staying out in the cold,” 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 (We had a good talk about politics. We talked a bit about family but it’s mostly about politics and what’s happening),” 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.

Related Tags

VP Sara Duterte ICC interim release Rodrigo Duterte The Hague
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