Vice President Sara Duterte expressed unexpected gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., saying his administration’s role in her father’s ICC detention has led to a renewed father-daughter bond with former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Speaking to reporters after a three-hour visit to her father at Scheveningen Prison in The Hague, Sara said, “It’s ironic, but I have to thank Bongbong Marcos. Because of this, forgiveness happened between us and I now have a real father-daughter relationship with him.”
Rodrigo Duterte is currently detained while facing charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged crimes against humanity tied to his war on drugs.
Sara clarified that their conversations focus solely on family matters, as legal discussions are handled exclusively by Duterte’s lawyers. “We talk about life and family… this is the longest I’ve spent with him in years,” she said, noting how her father was often too busy during her upbringing.
The Vice President was joined during the visit by her younger sister Veronica “Kitty” Duterte and their mother Honeylet Avanceña—marking the first time three Duterte family members visited the former president together. They greeted supporters outside the detention facility afterward.
Kitty shared that their visit was filled with “positive updates” meant to uplift their father’s spirits, while Sara joked about having a younger sibling to scold: “I’m happy I now have a sister I can boss around.”
Sara also said their family has never been more united, adding that siblings Paolo and Sebastian Duterte are planning to visit their father soon, pending their election campaign schedules.