Vice President Sara Duterte expressed her gratitude to Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. for indirectly helping mend her relationship with her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
During a recent Facebook Live broadcast by Attorney Harry Roque, who is currently in The Hague, Netherlands, Vice President Duterte shared how her father’s situation has led to a renewed bond between them.
According to Duterte, she has been able to spend more meaningful time with her father during her visits to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) detention facility in Scheveningen, The Hague.
"This is really ironic because I have to thank Bongbong Marcos. There was forgiveness between me and PRD for all that has happened in our lives, and now we have a father-daughter relationship. We can no longer discuss legal matters because only the lawyers are allowed to do that inside, but this has given us time to reconnect," she revealed.
She shared that this is the first time in her life she has been able to spend such long, uninterrupted moments with her father—focusing solely on personal matters rather than political or legal discussions.
"So we only talk about family, and this has been the longest conversation I’ve ever had with him. Growing up, he was always busy with work, busy serving the country. Now, I get to have this time with him every day—talking about life, talking about family—and for that, I feel blessed," she said.
Despite her father’s current legal battle at the ICC, the former presidential daughter remains hopeful and optimistic that their family will overcome this challenge.
"At this point, he's already (inaudible) and when he returns as mayor, baka maging busy na naman siya sa kaniyang trabaho... But for now, we’ve been given this time to talk. It’s just sad that it had to happen inside the ICC, but yes, thank you sa kaniya.
During Roque’s broadcast, Duterte’s youngest daughter, Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, also gave an update on her father’s condition.
According to Kitty, they make sure to share only positive news with their father to keep his spirits high.
"I've been updating him about our family, and he's happy to hear that we're all doing well. Everyone is praying for him. Ngayon, positive things lang ang sinasabi namin sa kaniya—things that will uplift his spirit and give him strength," she shared.
She also mentioned how their family has grown even stronger and how their father appreciates the love and support from his supporters, especially during his birthday last 28 March.
"I told him about that—especially on his birthday, when people gathered with speakers to greet him. He was happy about it. I also told him about the support he’s receiving from everywhere in the world."
When asked if their father blames her for her decision to unite with President Marcos, the Vice President firmly denied it, saying that blaming others has never been in her father’s nature.
"Wala. Ever since, wala siyang sinabi sa akin— even when I ran for Vice President, he never said anything like that. Ang sinabi lang niya, ‘Hindi na ako sasali diyan. Kayo na ang magdesisyon niyan.’"
She further emphasized, "I don’t remember PRD ever blaming anyone. Never. When I was growing up, he always told me, ‘You will make your own history.’ That’s always been his philosophy—he makes his own decisions and takes responsibility for them."