Sara honors fathers on Dad’s Day

Vice President Sara Duterte on Sunday paid tribute to the sacrifices and resilience of fathers in a Father’s Day message, as her own father seeks temporary release from his detention cell at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“Happy Father's Day to all dads, papas, fathers, and to everyone who serves as a pillar of the home and a source of strength and resilience for others,” Duterte said in a video statement posted on her official social media pages.

“On this day, we honor your sacrifices, hard work, and unconditional love. Thank you so much for your strength, which serves as the foundation that provides security, peace, and the path for children to grow into responsible, disciplined, and productive individuals,” she added.

“Your hard work reminds us of your sacrifices and love for the family.”

Duterte also highlighted the unwavering strengths of fathers, especially at a time when families are facing difficult times.

“Thank you for your guidance in moments of uncertainty.
Thank you for your love. To every father who continues to fight, to serve, and tirelessly support their family despite the challenges — I wish you success,” she said.

Duterte’s father – former president Rodrigo Duterte – is currently detained at the ICC due to his alleged crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s war on drugs.

On 12 June, Duterte’s defense camp requested his temporary release to an undisclosed country.

Signed by lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, Duterte’s lead defense counsel, the petition stated that the undisclosed country “has expressed to the defense its advance and principled agreement to receive Mr. Duterte onto its territory for the term of his interim release and will act, in accordance with its domestic law, to implement such conditions as deemed appropriate by Pre-Trial Chamber I.”

The former president was arrested on 11 March at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport upon his return to the country from a trip to Hong Kong. On the same day, he was transferred to The Hague, Netherlands, where the ICC is based.

Duterte is suspected of murder qualified as a crime against humanity, allegedly committed in the Philippines between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019.

Based on government data, at least 7,000 people were killed under Duterte's drug war. However, both local and international human rights groups have disputed the figures, stressing that the actual number of victims could be as high as 30,000.