Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s camp has reportedly secured a country willing to host him for an interim release, according to Vice President Sara Duterte.
Speaking before overseas Filipino workers in Nagoya, Japan, on Sunday, September 21, Vice President Duterte revealed the development but refrained from disclosing which country had agreed. “Medyo tumagal kami pero nakahanap din kami ng isang bansa na nagsabing tatanggapin namin siya,” she said in her speech.
The statement comes just days before the International Criminal Court (ICC) was set to hold its confirmation of charges hearing against the former president on September 23. Duterte faces allegations of crimes against humanity in connection with the government’s controversial war on drugs during his administration.
His legal counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, earlier filed a request to delay the proceedings, citing Duterte’s need to undergo a medical examination. Kaufman claimed that the former president was “unfit” to attend the hearing and needed further evaluation.
The ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor, however, strongly opposed the motion, raising concerns about Duterte’s repeated refusal to recognize the legitimacy of the court. Prosecutors also pointed to perceived risks that Duterte might abscond, given his legal team’s admission of efforts to find a host country for his temporary release.
While Vice President Duterte framed the news as a breakthrough for her father’s legal defense, critics argue that the secrecy surrounding the identity of the host country only heightens suspicions. Observers also noted that the ICC has the authority to deny interim release requests if it believes the accused poses a flight risk or if such arrangements undermine the judicial process.
The ICC investigation into Duterte’s anti-drug campaign has been one of the most closely watched international legal proceedings involving a Philippine leader. Human rights groups have long alleged widespread extrajudicial killings, while Duterte and his allies maintain that the campaign was lawful and aimed at protecting citizens from drug-related crimes.
With the confirmation hearing postponed and Duterte’s legal team pushing for medical grounds, the debate over his accountability remains a source of division among the public. Vice President Duterte’s revelation underscores that the former president’s legal battle will likely extend far beyond September 23, as questions about international cooperation and compliance with the ICC remain unresolved.