Sara Duterte says father firm on keeping ICC legal team

Vice President Sara Duterte said her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, is firm on not replacing his legal team handling his case before the International Criminal Court.

Speaking in The Hague, where she is visiting her detained father, the Vice President said she conveyed to him the concerns raised by his supporters regarding the handling of his legal defense.

"At tinanong ko siya—tinanong ko si dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. Sabi ko, exactly kung ano yung tanong ninyo: gusto mo ba palitan at hindi ka pa satisfied? Sabi niya, hindi palitan. Pero meron siyang mga instructions na ibinigay sa legal team," she said in an interview in The Hague on 28 January, Thursday.

"Hindi ko nasabi kung ano yung mga instructions sa legal team. Hindi ko na rin sasabihin kung ano yung mga instructions dahil hindi na rin naman iyon mahalaga," she added.

The former president is currently detained in The Hague over charges of crimes against humanity linked to alleged extrajudicial killings during his administration’s anti-drug campaign. He was arrested on 11 March 2025 by local authorities following a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.

Meanwhile, the Vice President thanked supporters who have continued to closely follow the proceedings involving her father.

"Nagpapasalamat ako dahil halos mag-isang taon na, at sigurado ako lalampas pa ito ng isang taon pa, ang kaso ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte dito sa ICC. Nandiyan ang ating mga kababayan na magpakita ng moral support at magpakita ng kanilang pagpunta dito sa Duterte Street. Gumagastos sila ng sarili nilang pera para pumunta dito at magpakita ng suporta sa buong mundo, hindi lang sa Netherlands," Duterte said.

"At siyempre, ang pinakamahalaga diyan ay ang dasal, dahil napakalakas ng power of prayers kung marami ang nagdarasal," she added.