Vice President Sara Duterte flew to The Hague to see her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte—her first time visiting him there since the International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber denied the camp’s request for interim release last Friday.
And when she finally sat across from him, she made one thing clear: they didn’t talk about the denial.
Not because it didn’t matter.
But because, for her, the moment called for something else.
“Ayokong ako yung mag-ano…”
In a report by Saleema Refran on Saksi, the Vice President shared that the ICC decision didn’t come up during their conversation. She said she chose not to raise it.
“Hindi na niya nabanggit actually kanina. Hindi ko na tinake-up kasi ayokong ako yung mag-ano,” she said.
There was a pause in that statement—one that felt like restraint.
Like someone holding back the hardest topic in the room.
Instead, their time together leaned toward what families often cling to when things feel uncertain: familiar stories, updates from home, and the world outside those walls.
“Maganda yung usapan namin sa politika. May konting usapan about sa pamilya pero karamihan sa politics at kung ano yung nangyayari,” she added.
Politics. Current events. Family.
The kind of conversation that tries to feel normal—when nothing is.
Why the appeal was denied
The ICC Appeals Chamber rejected three arguments raised by Duterte’s camp in its push for interim release.
Among the points presented by the defense:
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They argued it wasn’t certain the former President would pose a threat to witnesses.
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They said the judges did not fully consider whether a proposed host country could neutralize any potential threat if he were released.
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They also pointed to humanitarian grounds, including Duterte’s medical condition.
“How can a man like that flee?”
One of Duterte’s legal counsels, Nicholas Kaufman, highlighted Duterte’s age and health as key parts of their argument.
“We have an 80-year-old man suffering from cognitive impairment. How can a man like that flee?” Kaufman said.
He added that the defense believes risks often mentioned—like witness intimidation—don’t align with someone they claim is dealing with serious mental decline.
Kaufman also pushed back on the court’s view of the situation, saying the legal team observes the former President closely.
“We work with the former president on a daily basis. We know about his situation. The court doesn’t,” he said.
Disappointed… but not surprised
According to Kaufman, Duterte took the decision with disappointment—but not shock.
Because, he claimed, the ICC rarely grants interim release in cases involving crimes against humanity.
“He’s disappointed, but he’s hardly surprised,” Kaufman said.
“Never in the history of the International Criminal Court has a suspect been released when charged with crimes against humanity.”
In other words: they hoped—but they didn’t expect it.
What happens next: a medical report is coming
Now, attention shifts to another development.
Duterte’s legal team said they are waiting for the report of a panel of medical experts who assessed Duterte’s fitness to stand trial before the ICC. Kaufman said the report from the ICC-accredited expert panel may be released later this week.
He specifically mentioned December 5 as the possible release date.
And until then, the story stands in a quiet, tense space—
A father in a foreign city.
A daughter choosing her words carefully.
And a family conversation that avoids the one thing everyone is thinking about.
