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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider VP Sara defends Quezon City Jail visit, says there's nothing 'wrong' with visiting PDLs

VP Sara defends Quezon City Jail visit, says there's nothing 'wrong' with visiting PDLs

Duterte says jail visits are acts of compassion and empathy, urges detained officials to do what is best for the country

Published Aug 6, 2026 04:43 pm
Vice President Sara Duterte defends her recent visit to the Quezon City Jail, saying there is "nothing wrong" with visiting persons deprived of liberty and urging the public to extend "sympathy and empathy" to detainees. (Photo from OVP)
Vice President Sara Duterte defends her recent visit to the Quezon City Jail, saying there is "nothing wrong" with visiting persons deprived of liberty and urging the public to extend "sympathy and empathy" to detainees. (Photo from OVP)
For Vice President Sara Duterte, there is nothing "wrong" or improper about visiting persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), particularly those she personally knows.
In an interview after attending the Thanksgiving Mass for the Kadayawan Festival at San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City, Duterte responded to questions about her meeting with detained Senator Rodante Marcoleta, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and former congressman Mike Defensor.
Duterte said she has long believed that visiting detainees is an expression of compassion rather than a political act.
"I don't see anything wrong with visiting Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs)," she said.
Visiting PDLs since she was mayor
Duterte said visiting detention facilities is not new to her, recalling that she regularly visited the Maa City Jail during her tenure as mayor of Davao City.
She said she and her team would bring gifts to detainees and ask about their needs.
"Noong ako ay mayor pa, bumibisita ako sa Maa City Jail. Nagdadala kami ng mga regalo at tinatanong namin sila kung ano ang mga pangangailangan nila (When I was still mayor, I regularly visited the Maa City Jail. We brought gifts and asked the detainees about their needs)," she said.
Duterte added that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) has also conducted thanksgiving activities inside detention facilities, including one in Bacolod City.
Visiting 'friends' in detention
Duterte also dismissed criticism over her visits to high-profile detainees, saying she sees nothing wrong with visiting people she considers friends.
"So, wala akong nakikitang masama sa pagbisita sa mga tao tulad ni PRD at iba pang nasa loob ng detensyon. Wala rin akong nakikitang masama sa pagbisita kay Arnie Tevez, kay Pastor Quiboloy, as I said, President Duterte, Senator Rodante Marcoleta, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and Mike Defensor, kasi kilala ko naman sila and I think kaibigan ko sila (So, I don't see anything wrong with visiting people like PRD and others who are in detention. I also don't see anything wrong with visiting Arnie Tevez, Pastor Quiboloy, as I said, President Duterte, Senator Rodante Marcoleta, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and Mike Defensor because I know them, and I think they are my friends)," she said.
"Hindi ko lang alam kung kaibigan nila ako, pero sa tingin ko naman kaibigan ko sila (I'm just not sure whether they consider me their friend, but I believe they are my friends)," she added.
Call for empathy toward PDLs
Duterte said that regardless of the charges they face, persons deprived of liberty deserve compassion because they have already lost their freedom.
"Praktikal na reason, but yung hindi ka na malaya na magawa kung ano yung mga normal at ordinaryong ginagawa mo sa buhay (From a practical standpoint, you are no longer free to do the normal and ordinary things in life)," Duterte said.
"So, let's extend sympathy and empathy to Persons Deprived of Liberty," she added.
Asked whether she gave advice to the detained officials during her visit, Duterte said she did not presume to counsel lawmakers.
"Hindi naman. Diyos ko, ako pa ba ang magpapayo sa isang senador? (No. My God, am I really the one who should be giving advice to a senator?)" Duterte said.
Instead, she said her message was simple.
"Ang sinabi ko lang sa kanila doon ay kung ano ang para sa bayan, iyon ang gawin ninyo. Magpakatatag at kung ano ang para sa bayan, iyon ang gawin ninyo (I simply told them to remain steadfast and do whatever is best for the country)," she added.
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) confirmed on Aug. 5 that Duterte visited the Quezon City Jail on Aug. 4, from 12 noon to 3:20 p.m.
In a statement, the BJMP said the Vice President met with Marcoleta, Estrada, and Defensor.
Marcoleta and Defensor were committed to the Quezon City Jail in July after being charged with plunder in connection with the alleged P75-million donation controversy involving the senator, the former lawmaker, and two businessmen in 2025.
Estrada, meanwhile, has been detained since June in connection with a plunder case linked to the alleged flood control corruption scandal.

Related Tags

Sara Duterte Sara Duterte Quezon City Jail visit persons deprived of liberty Rodante Marcoleta Jinggoy Estrada
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