Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, the youngest daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, made a bold public appearance during PDP-Laban senatorial candidate Rodante Marcoleta’s miting de avance at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, expressing newfound political resolve following her father’s arrest.
At 21, Kitty admitted she initially had no desire to enter politics. “I’m just a college student, and I never planned to get involved,” she told the crowd. But she said the recent events—her father’s arrest and transfer to the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged human rights violations—changed everything. “Because of what they did to my father, I’m here now—not just to fight for my family, but for the country,” she added.
Her mother, Honeylet Avanceña, shared that Kitty’s father encouraged her to pursue a path like his. “My daughter didn’t want politics either,” Avanceña said. “But her father told her, ‘Study well. Follow in my footsteps.’”
In her speech, Kitty rallied the youth to take their role seriously in the upcoming elections. “To my fellow young Filipinos, let’s vote wisely. The future of the country depends on it,” she said.
She also gave her full support to the PDP-Laban senatorial lineup, especially Marcoleta, whom she called “my senator.”
Ending her speech with passion, Kitty declared: “My love for my country is what brought me here. There was never any personal agenda. He loves his country. Pilipinas, Duterte pa rin!”
