Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday expressed hope that the international court handling the case against her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, will exercise fairness in its proceedings.
"Ang dasal natin ay dapat maging patas ang korte. Kahit saang korte man yun sa mundo, yun ‘yung dasal natin na maging patas ang korte," Duterte said in an ambush interview in Davao City on 12 February.
The International Criminal Court’s Pre-Trial Chamber 1 has set the confirmation of charges against the former president on 23 February after denying his request for an indefinite adjournment.
In its ruling, the chamber said Duterte was fit to participate in the pre-trial proceedings in connection with charges of crimes against humanity over deaths linked to his administration’s war on drugs.
"Hindi ko alam kung ano yung mangyayari sa confirmation of charges dahil hindi ako kaparte ng paghahanda ng defense team ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte," the Vice President said.
"Ang mahalaga ay meron siyang mga abogado na ka meeting niya lagi ngayon at kausap niya lagi ngayon para mapag-usapan nila yung paghahanda nila para sa confirmation of charges," she added.