Vice President Sara Duterte has expressed concern over her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, saying he has been experiencing sudden mood changes and frustration as he remains in the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In an Inquirer.net report, Sara admitted she has been worried about how the former president has been coping with detention. “I am comforted by the fact that there is someone who can visit him, with permission from the [ICC] detention unit, every day,” she said, noting that relatives—rather than herself—have been taking turns to check on him.
Sara added that she had asked her younger sister, Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, about their father’s condition since she had not been able to call. According to her, Duterte himself has admitted not wanting to be consumed by frustration over the things beyond his control.
She previously disclosed that she had plans to travel to Japan for a rally supporting her father’s release, followed by a trip to The Hague to attend the confirmation of charges. But the ICC has since suspended the proceedings, originally slated for September 23, and reset them to a later date.
The vice president recalled her most recent phone conversation with the former president, where they talked about politics, flood control controversies, and even his personal life. But she admitted the poor connection made it difficult to provide comfort. “It is difficult to speak just over the telephone, since the lines were unclear, and we couldn’t hear each other properly,” she said. “You can’t comfort someone you’re just talking to [over the phone].”
Duterte has been detained by the ICC after being charged with crimes against humanity linked to his bloody anti-drug campaign during his six-year term as president. Sara said she continues to weigh the possibility of visiting him herself, especially after observing the changes in his mood in recent weeks.
