Vice President Sara Duterte expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for helping repair her strained relationship with her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
Speaking to the media during a brief interview in the Netherlands, Vice President Duterte revealed that her ongoing visits to her father inside the ICC detention center have allowed them to reconnect on a personal level—something that had long been missing from their lives.
“This really is ironic pero I have to thank Bongbong Marcos because there was forgiveness between me and [former President Rodrigo Duterte] for all that has happened in our lives,” she shared.
Their renewed bond, she said, is rooted in conversations they’ve had while the former president awaits trial. “And we have a relationship now – a father-daughter relationship.”
She recalled how their time together now is the most extended interaction she’s had with him in years, as he was often preoccupied with work during her younger years. “Now, I have this every day with him, talking about life, talking about family and for that, I feel that I am blessed, because at this point he is already 80. He is already retired,” she said.
“Nabigyan kami ng ganitong time na makapag usap as father–daughter,” she added. “Sad that it has to happen inside the ICC. But yes, thank you sa kanya,” referring again to President Marcos.
Sara also spoke about finding a deeper connection with her younger half-sister, Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, amid what she described as relentless criticisms directed at her family. “I’m blessed because I gained a sister with what happened to me after the attacks – the confidential funds attacks, the impeachment – we have a relationship now. I have a relationship with Kitty,” she said.
Rodrigo Duterte, now 80, is facing charges related to his controversial anti-drug campaign that, according to police, left around 6,000 people dead. Human rights organizations estimate the toll to be significantly higher—possibly reaching up to 20,000 lives.
The former president’s arrest sparked fierce protests from his loyalists, including his children, who accused the Marcos administration of betraying the country’s sovereignty. Duterte allies argue the ICC no longer has authority over the Philippines since it withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019.
Despite this, President Marcos maintained that the government only acted on a request from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and continues to cooperate on international legal matters. Legal experts say the ICC still holds jurisdiction over cases tied to the period when the Philippines was a member of the court—from 2011 until its withdrawal under Duterte’s administration.
