Vice President Sara Duterte Reports on Meeting with Former President Rodrigo Duterte
Vice President Sara Duterte described her meeting with her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who appeared well-rested and missed Filipino food while in detention facing ICC charges. She discussed his legal representation and the family’s legal battles, emphasizing their resilience amidst adversity and stressing the importance of support from the Filipino community.
Vice President Sara Duterte recently visited her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who has been detained due to charges against him by the International Criminal Court. She observed that he appeared well-rested and expressed a yearning for traditional Filipino food. During her visit, she shared that he missed dishes such as inun-unan and reiterated his request for her to return home to the Philippines promptly.
In response to her father’s plea, Vice President Sara indicated that, although she wished to fulfill his request, her presence in the Netherlands was necessary due to her legal expertise and visa status. She is currently working on forming a legal team, with British lawyer Nicholas Kaufman appointed as defense counsel. She advised her father to notify the medical staff if he experienced any health issues during his detention.
Sara’s father’s legal team, including lawyer Harry Roque, has raised concerns about the legality of his arrest, asserting that it could influence the court’s jurisdiction. Roque expressed disappointment over the court’s failure to address these jurisdictional issues and emphasized that the manner of arrest should not undermine principles of international justice, referencing South African jurisprudence for support.
Sara characterized her father’s transfer to the ICC as an act of kidnapping, equating it to extraordinary rendition. She mentioned the need to inform her lawyers about potential motions for interim release. The situation has prompted her to advise family members to secure their belongings amidst reports of potential searches at their homes, cautioning that evidence may be planted during searches.
In addressing the Filipino community, Vice President Sara shared how the family’s current adversities have strengthened her resolve and prepared her for larger challenges ahead. She also announced a meet and greet event in the Netherlands, coinciding with her father’s upcoming milestone birthday. In closing, she relayed a message from her father to their supporters, encouraging them not to lose hope as “there will be a day of reckoning for all.”
In summary, Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent visit with her father revealed his well-being and longing for home. While addressing the complexities of his situation, including legal challenges and accusations of unlawful arrest, she emphasized the family’s resilience. The Duterte family continues to navigate these challenges while rallying support among the Filipino community, indicating a determination to confront their circumstances head-on.
Original Source: www.gmanetwork.com
