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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Bring him home': VP Sara says ex-President Duterte has skin condition, urges ICC to speed up trial

'Bring him home': VP Sara says ex-President Duterte has skin condition, urges ICC to speed up trial

Vice President says her 81-year-old father is suffering from a skin ailment in ICC detention, expresses concern over delays, and calls for his return to the Philippines

Published Jul 30, 2026 02:30 pm

At A Glance

  • VP Sara Duterte said former President Rodrigo Duterte is being treated for a skin condition while in ICC detention.
  • She urged the ICC to speed up proceedings, citing her father's age and prolonged detention.
  • The Vice President said the family hopes Duterte will be allowed to return to the Philippines and appealed for his immediate release.
Vice President Sara Duterte said former President Rodrigo Duterte is receiving treatment for a skin condition while in ICC detention, as she renewed her call for a faster trial and his return to the Philippines. (Screengrab: OVP)
Vice President Sara Duterte said former President Rodrigo Duterte is receiving treatment for a skin condition while in ICC detention, as she renewed her call for a faster trial and his return to the Philippines. (Screengrab: OVP)
Vice President Sara Duterte said former President Rodrigo Duterte is currently dealing with a skin condition while under detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC), as she renewed her call for the tribunal to expedite proceedings and allow him to return to the Philippines.
Speaking to reporters in The Hague on July 29, Duterte said she had visited her father several times this week and described his overall condition as stable despite the skin ailment.
"He's doing okay except that he has a skin problem right now," she said.
According to the Vice President, health personnel at the detention facility have already begun treating the condition with a medicated cream, although the family has yet to receive details about the diagnosis.
She added that, aside from the skin issue, the former president is experiencing only the "usual aches and pains" associated with being 81 years old.
Skin condition under treatment
Duterte said she had visited the former president over the past three days and that the family was seeking more information from the detention facility's health unit regarding his condition.
"I understand there's a cream applied on the skin boil, skin rash. I really do not know what it is," she said.
She added that the weather in The Hague has not been a concern for the former president because temperatures have not been particularly cold.
Calls for faster ICC proceedings
The Vice President also expressed frustration over what she described as the slow pace of proceedings before the ICC.
She noted that the family relies solely on updates from the court and said the trial is currently scheduled for November.
"We wanted an earlier trial date since he's been here one year and four months," she said, adding that they continue to appeal for a faster resolution because of her father's age.
Duterte said they hope the ICC will uphold the presumption of innocence and move the case forward more quickly.
"He cannot afford to stay in detention for three, four, five years more," she added.
Concern over prolonged detention
Asked about her concerns as a daughter, Duterte acknowledged the possibility that the former president could die while in detention if the case drags on.
"There is always the possibility that he will pass inside the prison," she said.
She revealed that she had already discussed the possibility with her father and that he had left instructions in the event he dies while in custody.
Despite that, she said the family hopes he will eventually return to the Philippines.
"As a Filipino, as a daughter, we want him to die on Philippine soil," she said.
Duterte also reiterated her appeal to the ICC: "Free him now. Free Duterte now. Bring him home."
RELATED STORY: 
https://mb.com.ph/2026/07/30/vp-sara-calls-for-immediate-release-of-ex-president-rodrigo-duterte-says-icc-detention-is-unjust

Related Tags

Sara Duterte Rodrigo Duterte ICC Rodrigo Duterte health The Hague
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