Former president Rodrigo Duterte has “no regrets” despite being arrested and sent to The Hague, the Netherlands to face the crimes against humanity of murder charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC), Vice President Sara Duterte said on Wednesday, March 19 (Manila time).
Former president Rodrigo Duterte at his initial appearance hearing via video link on Friday, March 14, 2025, at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. Also in the photo is his legal counsel, former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea. (ICC Photo)
In an interview with reporters after meeting with her father, she said the former president is aware of what he’s about to face.
“Alam naman niya, oo. Sinabi naman niya, ‘Haharapin ko ito (He knows, yes. He said he will face it). I do not regret anything that I did sa aking paglilingkod sa bayan (in my service to the country),’” the official shared.
“He said he doesn’t regret anything that he did sa pagtatrabaho niya para sa bayan at nakita naman ng bayan kung ano iyong resulta ng kanyang serbisyo para sa bayan (in working for the country and the people can see what the results of his service to the country are).”
The younger Duterte assured that the former chief executive is doing well inside the ICC detention facility, adding that he even banters with the people there now.
He also didn’t lose his usual cheeky response to his detention.
“Sabi nya wala pa naman siya ginagawa pa (He said he wasn’t doing anything outside) because at the moment he’s retired. Wala pang elections so hindi pa siya (Since it’s not yet the elections, he’s not the) mayor so he might as well stay inside,” the Vice President quoted him.
“I have to tell you, he is charming… That is his style. He’s very friendly with people inside,” she added.
Still a mayoral bet
The Vice President also confirmed that her father will still seek the mayoralty seat in Davao City despite being detained in The Hague.
“He’s only an accused. An accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Masyado pa tayong malayo doon sa (It’s still far before we say) convict,” she said.
The former president is running against his former Cabinet secretary, Karlo Nograles.
The younger Duterte, who will be facing an impeachment trial in the Senate this July, stressed that their camp’s goal is to bring her father home as soon as possible.
“The target is to bring (him) home today. Pero (But), as we all know, it takes a lot of paperwork,” she said.
Letters
The former president has been busy reading letters of his supporters sent to The Hague, something that the Vice President said she was initially intrigued as she didn’t know detainees were allowed to receive letters.
“So, apparently pwede pala magpadala ng letters sa loob. Marami sa ating mga kababayan na gustong magpaabot sa kanya ng mensahe nila (we can send letters inside. Many of our countrymen want to send messages to him).”
After her father received a letter while she was visiting, she asked a detention center personnel about the process of sending and receiving letters.
The younger Duterte was informed that the letters would have to be vetted by the ICC and if there is nothing incriminating in the letters, these would be sent to the recipients.