By Ivy Tejano
DAVAO CITY – Vice President Sara Duterte criticized the International Criminal Court for what she described as a weak argument in its opposition to the interim release of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The ICC prosecution earlier claimed that the elder Duterte could use his influence to pressure witnesses linked to the investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed during his anti-drug campaign.
During an interview at the Office of the Vice President’s “Kasarilayaan 2025” event in Pampanga on June 25, Vice President Duterte denied claims that her father used his power to influence witnesses.
“It doesn’t make sense. When he (former President Duterte) was in the Philippines, as a mayor and president, and even after his term ended, he never approached or interfered with witnesses in any way,” she said.
Vice President Duterte emphasized that neither her father nor any of his allies sought to obstruct justice. Instead, she said she and former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque had urged the former president to cooperate with the ICC proceedings.
In a 15-page submission to the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I, the prosecution outlined multiple incidents to support its opposition to former President Duterte’s interim release.
These included the prolonged detention of former Senator Leila de Lima, alleged witness intimidation involving Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, and incendiary public remarks such as calls to kill bishops and shoot human rights defenders.
Vice President Duterte also took issue with the prosecution’s reliance on statements from family members claiming that the former president had been abducted or unlawfully detained.
The Vice President argued that the Duterte patriarch had voluntarily engaged with the court and expressed willingness to meet its conditions.
“It’s clear that he is requesting interim release from the court and is prepared to comply with any obligations it imposes. He is submitting to the court’s authority—not resisting it,” Vice President Duterte said.
Vice President Duterte concluded by urging the ICC to evaluate the case based on the former president’s actions and official commitments rather than on speculative or emotional claims made by relatives.
The former president faces an investigation by the ICC for alleged extrajudicial killings linked to his controversial war on drugs, which began during his time as city mayor and intensified during his presidency.
