Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte remains confident in his defense and maintains that he has no case to answer before the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to Vice President Sara Duterte.
The Vice President shared that her father’s health has improved after initially appearing exhausted and stressed during his first virtual appearance before the ICC. This came just a day after Duterte’s arrest and transfer to The Hague, where he is currently detained.
“His health is now much better. He seems more composed after his initial virtual encounter with the ICC,” VP Sara stated. She further emphasized that her father is extremely confident in his legal arguments and firmly believes that his arrest was a mistake. “He knows he has no case to answer from the very beginning,” she added.
Duterte, who is currently in detention at The Hague, is scheduled for another hearing before the ICC on September 23. Despite the charges of alleged human rights violations related to his administration’s war on drugs, the former president remains unwavering in his stance. His legal team maintains that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines, as the country withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019 during Duterte’s presidency.
VP Sara expressed optimism that her father will overcome this challenge, asserting that the legal team is fully prepared to present their arguments. She reiterated that her father remains steadfast, believing that the case has no merit and that the ICC’s actions are unfounded.
Duterte’s administration has been heavily criticized for its handling of the war on drugs, which reportedly resulted in thousands of deaths. However, Duterte has consistently denied any wrongdoing, claiming that his actions were necessary to protect the country from the dangers of illegal drugs.
As the September 23 hearing approaches, Duterte’s supporters continue to rally behind him, echoing his belief that the ICC has no authority over his actions. Meanwhile, human rights advocates closely monitor the proceedings, hoping for accountability and justice for the victims of the drug war.
With Duterte’s unwavering confidence and his legal team’s determination, the upcoming hearing is expected to be a pivotal moment in the ongoing case against the former Philippine president.