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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Traitors!': VP Sara accuses Marcos, Trillanes of helping ICC in Duterte case

'Traitors!': VP Sara accuses Marcos, Trillanes of helping ICC in Duterte case

Vice President claims the ICC is a 'lapdog' serving the interests of Marcos and Trillanes

Published Jul 30, 2026 10:59 am
Vice President Sara Duterte addresses supporters in The Hague on July 29,2026 accusing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former senator Antonio Trillanes IV of aiding the ICC's case against former President Rodrigo Duterte while urging continued support for her father's release. (Screengrab: OVP)
Vice President Sara Duterte addresses supporters in The Hague on July 29,2026 accusing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former senator Antonio Trillanes IV of aiding the ICC's case against former President Rodrigo Duterte while urging continued support for her father's release. (Screengrab: OVP)
Vice President Sara Duterte accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former senator Antonio Trillanes IV of helping the International Criminal Court (ICC) pursue its case against former President Rodrigo Duterte, claiming both had worked in support of the tribunal's investigation.
Speaking before supporters in The Hague on July 29, Duterte alleged that the ICC's investigation into her father had been backed by individuals in the Philippines, singling out Marcos and Trillanes.
Claims of support for ICC investigation
Duterte cited affidavits that she claimed linked former employees of Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co to the alleged transfer of funds intended for ICC investigators through Trillanes.
"Former soldiers, former employees of Congressman Zaldy Co already executed affidavits saying that they were told to exchange pesos to dollars because this will be delivered to the ICC investigators through Trillanes," Duterte said.
Based on these allegations, Duterte asked the crowd how Marcos and Trillanes should be characterized in relation to the ICC case.
"How do we characterize Trillanes and Marcos in relation to ICC?" Duterte asked the supporters in the crowd, who responded: "Traitor!"
Duterte replied: "Yes, they are traitors to a Filipino and to the country."
VP alleges ICC influenced by political interests
She went on to accuse the ICC of acting in the interests of Marcos and Trillanes rather than independently carrying out its mandate.
"But more than that, ang ICC ay tuta ni (is a lapdog of) Trillanes at ni (and) Marcos. Iyon 'yun (That's it)," she added.
"Because the ICC has no other case except for the case of former President Rodrigo Duterte. And they found Marcos, Trillanes, and money in the Philippine case," Duterte said.
The Vice President also argued that the prosecution of the former president was politically motivated rather than driven by the pursuit of justice.
"This is not about justice. This is about politics in the Philippines," she said.
READ: 
https://mb.com.ph/2026/07/30/icc-has-no-jurisdiction-over-ex-president-dutertes-case-vp-sara
Calls for continued support
Duterte likewise pointed to what she described as a pattern involving personalities allied with the former president.
"Who was the first to be sent to detention? Former President Duterte. Who was next? Bato. Next, Marcoleta. Next, Harry Roque, Bong Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada, Mike Defensor. You see the pattern?"
"Marcos supporting ICC. ICC supporting Marcos," she said.
Throughout her speech, Duterte maintained that the ICC proceedings against her father were influenced by political interests, reiterating her family's position that the case lacks legal and factual basis.
She urged supporters to continue advocating for the former president's release while the case remains before the international tribunal. 
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 case Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Antonio Trillanes IV
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