Veronica “Kitty” Duterte will file a petition before the Supreme Court to bring back her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, to the Philippines following his arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC), lawyer Salvador Panelo announced.
Panelo, along with his son Salvador Paolo Jr., will assist Veronica in filing a writ of habeas corpus petition at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. The petition challenges the Philippine government’s alleged role in Duterte’s detention and transfer to The Hague, calling it an unconstitutional act and a violation of national sovereignty.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed late Tuesday that Duterte was transported to The Hague to face charges related to his administration’s controversial war on drugs. Veronica Duterte has also raised concerns that her father is being denied medical attention following his arrest.
Panelo argued that the arrest was unlawful, citing the alleged lack of legal representation and the ICC’s supposed lack of jurisdiction over the Philippines.
The Supreme Court has scheduled a special raffle to determine which justice will handle the petition.