Malacañang on Tuesday downplayed concerns over former president Rodrigo Duterte’s health, saying he remains in stable condition despite appearing thinner in his detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.

“From what we’ve seen watching Ma’am Elizabeth Zimmerman speak, she said he has become thin, yes, but he looked healthy according to her,” said Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro.

Castro noted Zimmerman’s statement that Duterte was no longer taking any medication, saying it was a positive sign. “It’s good for him,” she said, adding that Vice President Sara Duterte had earlier given a similar update.

Zimmerman, who recently visited Duterte, said the former president has grown frail in detention but remains stable.

“I’m happy that I have seen him. And he’s okay, but he’s so thin. Skin and bones. Like in this picture,” Zimmerman said in an interview posted on Facebook, pointing to a recent photo.

She described her ex-husband’s routine as uneventful and quiet. “He just wants to sleep. He just wants to watch TV. After watching TV, he sleeps again,” she said.

“I think he’s healthy, but as an old man, he walks weakly,” she added.

Sara said, “He’s okay, very good mood today,” adding that he told her, “Your arm is twice the size of mine—one of your arms is like two of mine.”

“He’s very thin. You’ve never seen him this thin, maybe only back when he was very young,” she added.

The Vice President said Duterte is not experiencing any major health problems and is being held in the regular detention area, not the hospital wing, at the ICC.

“So far, he said he’s not feeling anything, so he’s okay on that note,” she said.

She quoted her father from their conversation: “I did what I had to for my country and I have no regrets about what I did.”

Sara said many supporters are praying for the dismissal of the ICC case based on jurisdiction, and are hoping Duterte will be granted an interim release.

“We understand the public’s concern and frustration. There’s no basis for the case, and we hope it gets dismissed,” she said.

Asked about Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla’s statement that there was no sufficient evidence in the Philippines for the ICC to convict her father, Sara went further: “It’s all fabricated. And we have evidence that some of their so-called proof was obtained through force, intimidation, or harassment. You’ll see that very soon.”

Look in the mirror

She criticized the Marcos administration over reports that it was spending taxpayer money to support witnesses in the ICC case.

“It’s sad. They say there’s no evidence, but they’re willing to pay to fly in witnesses,” Sara said.

“Yet, they move so slowly to help our fellow Filipinos caught in the conflict in Iran and Israel. It’s clear where this administration’s priorities lie —in politics, not the people.”

She also took a jab at Marcos over his recent call to “stop politicking.”

“Maybe he should look in the mirror when he says that,” she said.