VP Sara Duterte’s Uncertain Return from the Netherlands Amid Father’s ICC Detention

Vice President Sara Duterte is in the Netherlands supporting her father at the ICC. Her return to the Philippines is uncertain, as her father’s defense team is still being finalized. Despite being abroad, she has maintained her duties at the OVP and is preparing for potential impeachment while separating her legal representation from her father’s case.

Vice President Sara Duterte of the Philippines is currently in the Netherlands, where she remains to support her detained father, Rodrigo Duterte, at the International Criminal Court (ICC). She expressed that her return to the Philippines is still uncertain due to ongoing preparations for her father’s defense. Vice President Duterte stated, “I do not wish to stay here. My children and family are there in the Philippines… I have a duty to our fellow countryman, who is a Filipino citizen, who is held against his will here at the ICC detention center.”

She highlighted that her role extends beyond familial ties, underscoring her responsibilities as Vice President. Despite her absence from the Philippines, she reassured citizens that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) continues its projects seamlessly. Vice President Duterte also mentioned that she possesses a return ticket for April, though her homecoming remains contingent on finalizing her father’s defense team.

In conjunction with her ongoing responsibilities, the Vice President is also preparing for potential impeachment proceedings, a process she started in 2023. She emphasized the separation of duties, assuring that the lawyers handling her impeachment will not engage in her father’s ICC defense.

Vice President Sara Duterte’s situation in the Netherlands is primarily driven by her commitment to assist her father, Rodrig Duterte, detained at the ICC. She remains dedicated to her Vice Presidential responsibilities, ensuring continued support for the OVP’s projects despite her physical absence from the Philippines. Furthermore, she is proactively managing the preparations for her impeachment while maintaining a clear distinction between her father’s legal matters and her political duties.

Original Source: manilastandard.net