Former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD) remains in good spirits and continues to talk about politics while under detention in The Hague, Netherlands, according to Vice President Sara Duterte.

In an interview on May 5, the Vice President shared details of her recent conversation with her father, saying that most of their discussion centered on political matters.

“He’s okay. Very chatty today—mostly about politics. At least, siguro mga (I’d say around) 95 percent of the conversation was about politics,” Duterte said.

She added that the former president also asked her to relay a message to Filipinos.

“And then nagsabi siya na ang mensahe niya ay mahal niya ang Pilipinas, mahal niya kayo (Then he said that his message is that he loves the Philippines, and he loves you),” Duterte said.

The Vice President also revealed that she intentionally avoided discussing impeachment-related developments and political controversies involving the House of Representatives to protect the former president’s well-being.

According to Duterte, her father was not informed about the possibility of another impeachment complaint.

“Hindi ko binanggit sa kanya ang impeachment at hindi ko binanggit sa kanya ang mga nangyari sa House of Representatives (I did not mention the impeachment to him, nor did I mention to him what happened in the House of Representatives),” she added.

Duterte explained that exposing the 81-year-old former president to negative political developments while in detention could affect his mental and emotional state.

“Hindi siya karapat-dapat para sa isang 81-year-old. Dapat ang alam lang niya ay ‘yung mga happy na mga bagay (That’s not appropriate for an 81-year-old. What he should only know are happy things),” she added.

The Vice President added that she fears the stress and isolation inside detention could negatively impact her father’s health.

“Lalo pati nag-iisip tayo na baka nga dyan siya bawian ng buhay sa loob. Dyan siya mamatay sa loob ng detention (All the more, we’re thinking that he might lose his life inside. That he might die there in detention),” she added.

She also criticized unnamed politicians and members of the administration amid recent political controversies.

“Dapat ‘yung maaalala niya at naiisip niya ay ‘yung mga masasayang bagay. Hindi ‘yung mga kalokohan, korapsyon at abuso ng mga congressman at iba pang politiko kasama ng administrasyon (What he should remember and think about are happy things—not the nonsense, corruption, and abuses of congressmen and other politicians along with the administration),” she added.

Aside from politics, Duterte said she briefly asked the former president about the food being served in detention facilities in The Hague.

According to the Vice President, Duterte told her that authorities provide meals that “almost taste like Filipino dishes.”

She said she reminded him that culturally appropriate food is a detainee’s right.

The former president also reportedly joked about food during their conversation.

When she asked if he had been served “munggos,” Duterte responded humorously by saying the only “munggos” he had not eaten was a “mongoose.”

“And then he said na, ang hindi ko nalang nakain na munggos ay ‘yung mongoose, the hayop, the animal. Sinabi ko naman sa kanya, sabi ko, I don't think kinakain yun. And then he said na, pag sa Pilipino, pwedeng kainin yun — mongoose (And then he said, the only mung beans I haven’t eaten are the mongoose — the animal. I told him, I don’t think that’s eaten, and then he said, for Filipinos, that can be eaten — mongoose),” she recalled.

The Vice President also mentioned that supporters of the former president continued to gather near “Duterte Street” in The Hague. The spot is located directly in front of the ICC (( International Criminal Court) detention center where the former Philippine president is being held while awaiting trial.

She said she informed her father that more than 15 to 20 supporters were present in the area the previous day. In response, the former president reiterated his message to supporters and the Filipino public.

“And sabi niya, yun ‘yung sabi niya, paabot mo lang sa akin ‘yung message na mahal ko ang Pilipinas, mahal ko kayo (And he said, just pass on my message that I love the Philippines, I love you),” she added.