Former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) facility in The Hague, is reportedly in good spirits and adapting well to his surroundings, according to his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.

Speaking to the media after visiting the ICC detention center, VP Duterte revealed that her father is housed in the medical facility of the Hague Penitentiary Institution in Scheveningen, where he is under close observation.

“Hindi siya nire-release ng doctor,” she said, explaining that medical staff are monitoring his condition and have been provided with his complete medical records and prescribed medications. Despite the circumstances, the former leader remains “comfortable” and has even described his detention quarters in a lighthearted manner.

“Ang sinabi niya sa akin, ‘Para akong nasa hotel except hindi ako makalabas,’” she quoted him as saying.

According to the Vice President, Duterte has been maintaining a friendly rapport with the detention center staff.

“I have to tell you: he is charming everyone inside. It’s his style, eh. He’s very friendly with people inside. Mayroon na silang banter,” she said.

Duterte is held in a private cell and does not regularly interact with fellow detainees.

“Hindi sila nagkikita ng mga kapwa detainee niya kasi may kanya-kanya silang kwarto. One detainee lang per room. Yun ang pagkakaalam ko ha. Hindi ko lang alam kung they see each other somewhere sa hallway o saan sila kumakain,” she added.

The former president has been in ICC custody for nearly a week. Since his detention, only a few individuals—including Vice President Duterte, former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, and his lawyer Nicholas Kaufman—have been granted visitation.

Despite his incarceration, Duterte reportedly remains steadfast in his actions as president.

“Sabi niya, wala rin naman daw siyang ginagawa sa labas kasi hindi pa naman daw siya mayor. So, might as well tumira na raw muna siya sa loob,” Vice President Duterte stated. “He said he doesn’t regret anything he did sa pagtatrabaho niya para sa bayan. At nakita naman daw ng bayan kung ano yung resulta ng kanyang serbisyo.”

Vice President Duterte Not to Serve as Legal Counsel

Vice President Duterte, alongside former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and former Executive Secretary Medialdea, is not part of the legal team representing her father before the ICC. While she has been accredited as legal counsel, she is constitutionally prohibited from practicing law while holding public office.

Roque clarified this in a statement, saying:

“Lilinawin ko lang po yung mga lumalabas na report, hindi po magiging abogado ng Presidente si VP Sara dahil sa Saligang Batas natin ay merong pagbabawal sa pag-practice ng propesyon. So ang kanyang karapatan pong bumisita ay bilang anak. So ulitin, hindi siya papasok bilang abogado.”

Article VII, Section 13 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution prevents the President, Vice President, and Cabinet members from holding other employment or practicing a profession while in office to avoid conflicts of interest.

Meanwhile, former Executive Secretary Medialdea has withdrawn as Duterte’s legal counsel as the ex-president’s defense team is being finalized.

“Once the ICC legal team is complete, Attorney Medialdea will step back due to the limited number of legal slots available,” the Vice President explained. “There are still lawyers I’ll be talking with. One attorney will be arriving. I’m interviewing them to join the team.”

Duterte’s defense will be led by British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, who has been appointed as his lead counsel in the ICC proceedings.

The former president was taken into ICC custody on March 12 as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged crimes against humanity related to his administration’s controversial “war on drugs.” He has previously dismissed the ICC’s jurisdiction over the Philippines and denied any wrongdoing.

📷 Screenshot from Kitty Duterte IG