Vice President Sara Duterte Visits Former President Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague
Vice President Sara Duterte and her mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman, traveled to The Hague, Netherlands, to visit former President Rodrigo Duterte at the Scheveningen Prison on May 30, just before her 47th birthday. This family visit was a significant moment as they came to spend time with the detained former leader.
Senator Imee Marcos, who accompanied Duterte on the trip to Qatar and The Hague, was unable to meet with the former president during this visit. Outside the detention center, Vice President Duterte shared details about their time with her father when asked by supporters.
“Iyong visit, na-late kami kanina, so 30 minutes late kami, so isang oras nalang iyong nagawa namin sa pagbisita namin. Pagdating namin ay nag-aantay na siya and masaya siya noong nakita niya kami kasi alam niya na nandoon kami (We were late during our visit earlier, we were 30 minutes late, so we were only able to visit for one hour. When we arrived, he was already waiting and he was happy when he saw us because we were there) to celebrate pre-birthday with him with my mother,” she explained.
Family Moments and Personal Updates
The Vice President revealed that she brought Coke Zero for her father, though he didn’t drink it. “As usual, binilhan ko din siya ng Coke Zero, hindi niya ininom, sabi niya ay dalhin lang daw niya sa kwarto iyong Coke Zero, pero isa lang ang pinabili niya (I bought him Coke Zero, he didn’t drink it, he said he will just bring the Coke Zero to his room, but he only wanted me to buy one),” she said.
She also relayed a message from the former president to their supporters, sharing his perspective on fate: “Yes, ang message niya (his message) is, ‘we are all ruled by destiny and I am here because of my destiny, whether rightly or wrongly.’”
Discussion on PDP-Laban Senatorial Candidates
During the visit, Vice President Sara Duterte updated her father about the recent success of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) senatorial bets in the 2025 midterm elections. Although she had informed him by phone of the wins of reelectionist Senators Bong Go, Ronald Dela Rosa, and Representative Rodante Marcoleta, she took the opportunity to discuss these victories in person.
She also shared news about PDP-Laban’s adopted candidates, including Senator-elect Camille Villar and reelectionist Senator Imee Marcos, both securing Senate seats.
Oath-Taking and Future Plans
Despite winning as mayor of Davao City while detained in The Hague, former President Duterte has yet to take his oath of office. According to the Vice President, this matter is currently under discussion between him and his legal team.
“And isa pang update, napag-usapan din namin iyong oath niya, at pag-uusapan daw nila ng lawyers niya kung paano gawin ang kanyang oath (Another update is we also talked about his oath, he said he and his lawyers will talk about what to do about his oath),” she stated.
“Pero, initially and sinabi niya (But, initially what he said was), ‘I want… Set me free and I will take an oath,’” she added.
When asked about the possibility of the former president returning to the Philippines, Vice President Duterte said their lawyers are working on plans to bring him home soon. She emphasized the community’s desire for his return, especially as the people of Davao City rely on their mayor.
“Actually, lahat tayo, no? Nag-aantay kung kailan makauwi si President Duterte (All of us, right? We are all waiting when [former] president Duterte can come home),” she said.
“At yun yung tinatrabaho ng kanyang mga lawyers na sana ay mangyari (And that’s what the lawyers are trying to do) at the soonest possible time dahil kaming mga taga Davao City ay kailangan namin ang mayor ng Davao City (because us in Davao City, we need our mayor of Davao City),” she added.
Imee Marcos’ Visit and Clarifications
Vice President Duterte also informed her father about Senator Imee Marcos’ presence in The Hague, though the senator was unable to meet with the former president. She updated him on findings from the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations regarding his March arrest, which were submitted to the Ombudsman.
“Unang-una, nagpasalamat siya. At pangalawa, sabi niya gusto nga daw niya sanang makausap si Senator Imee kaso hindi nga daw payagan pero sabi niya (First, he was thankful. Second, he said he wants to speak with Senator Imee but she was unfortunately not allowed but he said), ‘There will be another time for that,’” the Vice President shared.
Only immediate family and legal counsel are permitted to visit detainees at the facility in The Hague. Vice President Duterte was quick to clarify that Senator Marcos holds no role in her father’s legal proceedings.
“Ay, wala po. Wala pong role si Senator Imee sa case ni (Nothing. Senator Imee has no role in the case of) former president Rodrigo Duterte,” she confirmed. “Wala siyang role po, either sa defense or doon sa ICC prosecution case, walang pong role si Senator Imee Marcos (She has no role, either in the defense or there in the ICC prosecution case, Senator Imee Marcos has no role).”
For more news and updates on Vice President Sara Duterte visits, visit Filipinokami.com.