MANILA: Vice President Sara Duterte said former President Rodrigo Duterte is “well” and in good condition following her recent visit, as legal proceedings before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands continue.
“He looks well. He looks healthy. He doesn’t have any problem,” the vice president said in an interview with the Filipino community in The Hague, as seen in a video published by ABS-CBN on Tuesday (May 5).
The vice president also shared that she advised her father to undergo physiotherapy, though he declined.
“I suggested that he undergo physiotherapy, but he refused… So, we’ll see tomorrow if we can convince him to undergo physiotherapy, in lieu of what should be his daily exercise,” she added.
The ICC has been conducting proceedings related to alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
The former president has not personally appeared in ICC proceedings and has, through counsel, waived certain rights related to attendance at the preliminary stages, describing himself in a letter to Pre-Trial Chamber I in February as “old, tired, and frail.”
On April 22, the ICC Appeals Chamber confirmed its jurisdiction over Rodrigo Duterte. When asked about her comments on this, the vice president said she “accepted it as it is.”
The Pre-Trial Chamber I also confirmed the charges on April 23, which the camp of Rodrigo Duterte has sought permission to appeal.
Noting that since this is one of the only two ICC cases, the vice president said, “This is also what we have discussed with our lawyers. We don’t see any way that ICC will let go of the case of President Duterte.”
“This will really go to trial, and the best way to move forward is to prepare for trial,” she added.
On May 1, the ICC Trial Chamber III ordered a review of Rodrigo Duterte’s continued detention and directed parties to submit observations ahead of the next stage of proceedings.
The review is required to determine whether the legal grounds for Rodrigo Duterte’s continued detention still exist under ICC rules.
This will be followed by a status conference on May 27, where the chamber may take up the detention review and begin setting the timetable and preparations for the trial proper.
Meanwhile, the vice president thanked members of the Filipino community abroad who regularly travel to The Hague to support the Duterte family, including those who attended the March 28 gathering marking the former president’s 81st birthday.
“I wouldn’t say I’m happy to be back because of the situation of President Duterte, but I’m happy to see all of you again,” she said. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
