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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider VP Sara says Trump's campaign vs ICC may bolster Duterte case

VP Sara says Trump's campaign vs ICC may bolster Duterte case

Vice President says Trump's campaign against the ICC may help Duterte's case, but does not guarantee his freedom

Published Aug 6, 2026 04:17 pm
Vice President Sara Duterte speaks to reporters after attending the Thanksgiving Mass for the Kadayawan Festival at San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City on Aug. 6, 2026. (Screengrab: OVP video)
Vice President Sara Duterte speaks to reporters after attending the Thanksgiving Mass for the Kadayawan Festival at San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City on Aug. 6, 2026. (Screengrab: OVP video)
Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday, Aug. 6, said the campaign of United States President Donald Trump against the International Criminal Court (ICC) could strengthen arguments that the tribunal is a "biased political organization," although she stopped short of saying it would lead to the release of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
In an interview after attending the Thanksgiving Mass for the Kadayawan Festival at San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City, Duterte was asked to comment on Trump's reported campaign against the ICC and whether it could result in the former president's release from detention.
"Hindi ko lang alam kung (I'm not sure if) it will come to a release," she said.
Duterte said it remains uncertain whether developments involving the United States and the ICC would directly affect her father's detention.
She, however, suggested that the United States could use the former president's case to support its criticisms of the international tribunal.
Vice President Sara Duterte attends the Thanksgiving Mass for the Kadayawan Festival at San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City on Aug. 6, 2026. (OVP photo)
Vice President Sara Duterte attends the Thanksgiving Mass for the Kadayawan Festival at San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City on Aug. 6, 2026. (OVP photo)
"Yung kampanya ng Estados Unidos against the International Criminal Court, di ko lang alam kung aabot siya sa pagpapalaya kay dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte (The United States' campaign against the International Criminal Court may not necessarily result in the release of former President Rodrigo Duterte)," the Vice President said.
"Pero definitely pwedeng gamitin ng Estados Unidos na example yung kaso ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa pagiging isang biased political organization ng ICC at not really a court of justice (But the United States can definitely use the case of former President Rodrigo Duterte as an example to show that the ICC is a biased political organization and not really a court of justice)," she added.
In good spirits despite health issues
The Vice President also shared an update on her father's condition, saying he remains in good spirits despite experiencing minor health concerns while in detention.
She said her visits to the former president in The Hague have been "very joyful" and that he "has not lost his sense of humor," despite minor health issues that have been addressed by the detention unit.
Asked about the former president missing the Kadayawan Festival for the second straight year, the Vice President acknowledged that he would once again be unable to celebrate with fellow Dabawenyos.
"Hopefully, next year or in the coming years, maka-attend na siya sa (he will be able to attend) Kadayawan," she said.
The former president has been unable to attend Davao City's annual Kadayawan Festival while under ICC detention, making this the second consecutive year that he has missed one of the city's biggest celebrations. 

Related Tags

Sara Duterte Rodrigo Duterte Donald Trump International Criminal Court (ICC) Kadayawan Festival 2026
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